concede

verb

kən-ˈsēd How to pronounce concede (audio)
Definition of concedenext
1
as in to admit
to accept the truth or existence of (something) usually reluctantly she grudgingly conceded his point

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to succumb
to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control) he conceded as soon as it became clear that he could not win

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb concede contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of concede are accord, award, grant, and vouchsafe. While all these words mean "to give as a favor or a right," concede implies yielding something reluctantly in response to a rightful or compelling claim.

even her critics concede she can be charming

In what contexts can accord take the place of concede?

The synonyms accord and concede are sometimes interchangeable, but accord implies giving to another what is due or proper.

accorded all the honors befitting a head of state

When can award be used instead of concede?

In some situations, the words award and concede are roughly equivalent. However, award implies giving what is deserved or merited usually after a careful weighing of pertinent factors.

awarded the company a huge defense contract

When is it sensible to use grant instead of concede?

The meanings of grant and concede largely overlap; however, grant implies giving to a claimant or petitioner something that could be withheld.

granted them a new hearing

When could vouchsafe be used to replace concede?

The words vouchsafe and concede can be used in similar contexts, but vouchsafe implies granting something as a courtesy or an act of gracious condescension.

vouchsafed the secret to only a few chosen disciples

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of concede By the time Stevens conceded this year’s Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed, that video had been seen countless times by people voting against her. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Advertisement Stevens called El-Sayed to concede Wednesday morning and vowed to back his candidacy. — Nik Popli, Time, 5 Aug. 2026 More than a few people – even those bound to tradition – have conceded that a calendar reconfiguration wouldn’t be a bad idea, such as pushing the Preakness back to June and the Belmont to July. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026 Last week, the company agreed to hold the merger until five days after a trial verdict or June 1, 2027, whichever comes first, canceling the injunction hearing and conceding the calendar to its opponents. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for concede
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concede
  1. admit
  2. succumb
  3. confess
  4. submit
  5. acknowledge
  6. surrender
  7. agree
Verb
  • Does this three-point configuration always admit a convex quadrilateral?
    — Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026
  • One morning, guards came to the cell and told the women to line up and face the wall—standard protocol for when a new prisoner was being admitted.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of admit
Verb
  • As some of us will inevitably succumb to its grand and growing illusion, the rest may get the opportunity to find the key to understanding how so many others could be fooled and so foolish.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Lifesaving measures were performed on-site, but Rebecca Marodi succumbed to her injuries.
    — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of succumb
Verb
  • The earliest fire to which authorities allege Farinacci confessed to last week — and investigators were able to corroborate — happened on July 6, 2025, near Centennial Trail.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • During the interview, Davis allegedly confessed to his role in Shakur's murder.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of confess
Verb
  • Drop it off in person Regardless of what the Supreme Court decides, states have been working to educate voters about submitting ballots by mail earlier or returning them in drop boxes all year.
    — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Everything submitted in Spanish must be accompanied by a translation into English that must be done by a person, not an automatic online translator.
    — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of submit
Verb
  • Asked about those changes and the growing scrutiny of the UFW's legacy, Huerta defended the organization's historic work on behalf of farmworkers while acknowledging the controversy surrounding Chavez.
    — Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The industry acknowledges the marketing power of social media but grapples with balancing publicity and guest privacy.
    — Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of acknowledge
Verb
  • Alejandro Hidalgo surrendered all five runs in the fifth after taking over for Rojas.
    — Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Crisis negotiators responded to the scene and worked to help get the suspect to peacefully surrender.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of surrender
Verb
  • Many agree that the surge in data centers, not Illinois clean energy law, is the primary cause of skyrocketing power prices across power grid operator PJM’s 13-state footprint.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The Carolina Panthers and tight end Darren Waller have agreed to a one-year free-agent deal, a league source confirmed to The Athletic on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about a player’s contract.
    — Joseph Person, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of agree

Browse Nearby Words

conceals
concede
conceded
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Cite this Entry

“Concede.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concede. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on concede

Nglish: Translation of concede for Spanish Speakers

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