26984 words

concede

9 definitions • 15 examples
1
to admit, often unwillingly, that something is true:

Examples:

[ + (that) ] The government has conceded (that) the new tax policy has been a disaster.
[ + speech ] "Well okay, perhaps I was a little hard on her," he conceded.
2
to admit that you have lost in a competition:

Examples:

He kept on arguing and wouldn't concede defeat.
She conceded even before all the votes had been counted.
3
to allow someone to have something, even if you do not want to:

Examples:

The president is not expected to concede these reforms.
He is not willing to concede any of his power/authority.
Britain conceded (= allowed) independence to India in 1947.
4
to fail to stop an opposing team or person from winning a point or game:

Examples:

The team conceded two goals (to the other side) in the first five minutes of the game.
5
to admit that something is true, or to allow something:

Examples:

[ + (that) clause ] Officials concede (that) the plan isn’t the best one.
6
If you concede in a competition, you admit that you have lost:

Examples:

[ I/T ] She conceded (the election) yesterday.
7
to admit that something exists or is true, often unwillingly:

Examples:

concede that The chairman conceded that shareholders had been "impacted by the decline in market prices".
The insurers ultimately conceded liability for repairing the damage to the car.
8
to give something to someone, or allow them to have it, especially when you are unwilling to do so:

Examples:

Local government has been forced to concede some of its authority to larger, regionally based, units.
9
to stop arguing, fighting, or competing against someone and admit that you have lost:

Examples:

After a recount of the votes, the candidate conceded defeat.
Critics say he should have conceded right after the election.

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