concede
gb/kənsˈid/ us/kənsˈid/
B2
Anglais
~ 6500
Sens
0 sens
Verbe
formal
B2
action
1
admit something is true, reluctantly
To say that something is true or correct, usually after you first said it was not, or when you do not want to say it is true.
Schéma d’usage :
to concede (that) [clause]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes use "concede" with "about" (e.g. *"He conceded about his mistake"*). The usual patterns are "concede that [clause]" (He conceded that he made a mistake) or "concede [something]" (He conceded his mistake). Learners also confuse "concede" with "agree"; "concede" implies some reluctance or that you were previously opposed.
Synonymes
admit (More general and common; does not always suggest reluctance or previous disagreement, while "concede" often does.)
Antonymes
deny (To say something is not true, which is the opposite of conceding that it is true.)
Collocations
concede that
|concede the point
|reluctantly concede
|readily concede
|concede the fact
|publicly concede
Thèmes
communication
|opinions
|argument
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Under pressure from reporters, the senator finally conceded that mistakes had been made.
- She conceded that her original estimate had been far too low.
- The company conceded that it had failed to inform customers about the change.
- He reluctantly conceded that the new system was, in fact, more efficient.
- I concede that there may be some truth in your argument, but I still disagree with your conclusion.
Exemples pédagogiques
- He finally conceded that he was wrong.
- The manager conceded that the project was late.
- She conceded that the test was very difficult.
- They conceded that the plan needed changes.
- I concede that your idea is better.
Verbe
B2
action
2
accept or admit defeat
To say clearly that you have lost a game, election, or fight.
Schéma d’usage :
to concede defeat (in [something])
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes say *"lose defeat"* instead of "concede defeat". Use "concede defeat" or simply "lose". Also, "concede" (in this sense) is usually used for formal or public situations like elections, big games, or business battles, not small everyday arguments.
Synonymes
surrender (Often stronger and more physical or military; "concede" is more about officially recognizing loss, especially in politics or sports.)
Antonymes
prevail (To win or be successful, which is the opposite of conceding defeat.)
Collocations
concede defeat
|concede the election
|concede the race
|refuse to concede
|concede gracefully
|publicly concede
Thèmes
politics
|sports
|conflict
|business
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- After realizing he could not win, the candidate called his opponent to concede the election.
- The chess player knocked over his king to concede defeat.
- Under mounting pressure, the CEO finally conceded defeat and withdrew the takeover bid.
- The team refused to concede defeat, even with only a few minutes left on the clock.
- She held out for several hours before she conceded defeat and signed the agreement.
Exemples pédagogiques
- He called his rival to concede the election.
- Our team was tired, but they would not concede defeat.
- The company finally conceded defeat and stopped the project.
- She conceded defeat after losing three games in a row.
- They conceded the race when it was clear they could not win.
Verbe
formal
C1
action
3
give or allow something unwillingly
To give or allow something, like time, money, or rights, usually when you do not really want to.
Schéma d’usage :
to concede [something] (to [someone])
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse this sense with simply "give" and miss the idea of reluctance or negotiation. "Concede" usually appears in formal contexts like politics, business, or legal discussions and suggests you resisted before allowing something. Do not use it for everyday giving (say "give" or "lend" instead of *"concede me some money"*).
Synonymes
yield (Similar in negotiations or arguments, but can sound slightly more literary; "concede" is common in political and business contexts.)
Antonymes
withhold (To refuse to give or allow something, which is the opposite of conceding it.)
Collocations
concede ground
|concede power
|concede territory
|concede a point
|concede some control
|refuse to concede anything
Thèmes
negotiation
|politics
|business
|law
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- In order to reach a deal, the company agreed to concede some control over pricing.
- The government was forced to concede additional rights to minority groups.
- Negotiators refused to concede any further ground on the key issues.
- He would not concede even a small advantage to his competitors.
- After hours of talks, both sides agreed to concede a little to break the deadlock.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The company finally conceded some power to the workers.
- The government conceded more rights to the group.
- She did not want to concede any control to her partner.
- They conceded a small part of the land to their neighbors.
- Both sides had to concede something to make a deal.
Verbe
B2
action
4
let the other team score
In sports, to let the other team score a goal or points.
Schéma d’usage :
to concede [a goal/points] (to [team])
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes say *"receive a goal"* or *"get a goal"* when they mean the other team scored against them. In sports English, the normal verb is "concede": "They conceded a goal" (the other team scored). Use "score" for your own team’s goals and "concede" for goals against your team.
Synonymes
allow (A more general verb; "concede" is the usual sports term for letting the other team score.)
Antonymes
keep a clean sheet (Sports phrase meaning not to concede any goals.)
Collocations
concede a goal
|concede an early goal
|concede a penalty
|concede a corner
|concede two late goals
|concede points
Thèmes
sports
|games
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The team conceded two goals in the final ten minutes.
- We can’t afford to concede another penalty before half-time.
- They conceded an early goal but came back to win 3–1.
- Our defense has conceded only three goals all season.
- The visitors conceded a soft goal after a simple mistake at the back.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The team conceded one goal in the first half.
- Our club often concedes late goals.
- They conceded a penalty and lost the game.
- We played well and did not concede any goals.
- The goalkeeper was angry after they conceded again.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
concede
API
GB/kənsˈid/
US/kənsˈid/
Syllabes et accentuation
con - cede (2 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cede)
Formes du mot
Verb
- Base: concede
- 3rd Person Singular: concedes
- Present Participle: conceding
- Past: conceded
Famille de mots
Forms
concedes
verb
conceding
verb
conceded
verb
Core family
concession
noun B2
Related words
concessive
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
deny
verb B1
Advanced or less common
concessional
adjective
Expressions
concede a goal
1/kənsˈid ə ɡˈoʊl/
fixed phrase
let the other team score a goal
In sports, to let the other team score one goal.
Exemples
- They conceded a goal in the first minute of the match.
- We can’t afford to concede a goal so early in the game.
- The team played defensively and didn’t concede a goal all night.
concede a penalty
1/kənsˈid ə pˈɛnəlti/
fixed phrase
give away a penalty in sports
In sports, to make a foul so that the other team gets a penalty kick or shot.
Exemples
- The defender conceded a penalty with a careless challenge in the box.
- We almost conceded a penalty right before half-time.
- They conceded a penalty but the goalkeeper made a brilliant save.
concede defeat
1/kənsˈid dɪfˈit/
fixed phrase
officially accept you have lost
To say clearly that you have lost a game, fight, election, or other competition.
Exemples
- Realizing there was no way back, the challenger finally had to concede defeat.
- After hours of negotiation, the union refused to concede defeat and walked out of the talks.
- She reluctantly conceded defeat and dropped out of the race.
concede ground
1/kənsˈid ɡɹˈaʊnd/
fixed phrase
formal
give up position or advantage
To lose or give away power, control, or advantage in a fight, debate, or negotiation.
Exemples
- The government is unwilling to concede ground on tax reform.
- Unions refused to concede ground on workers’ rights.
- As public opinion shifted, the party slowly began to concede ground to its rivals.
concede the election
1/kənsˈid ðə ɪlˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
formally admit losing an election
To officially say that you did not win an election.
Exemples
- The candidate called his opponent to concede the election on live television.
- Pressure mounted on him to concede the election as the vote count became clearer.
- She refused to concede the election until every last ballot had been counted.
concede the point
1/kənsˈid ðə pˈɔɪnt/
fixed phrase
formal
accept someone’s argument is correct
To say that one specific thing another person argues is right.
Exemples
- I concede the point, but I still disagree with your overall conclusion.
- The minister conceded the point about rising costs but defended the new policy.
- She smiled and conceded the point, then moved on to a different argument.
I concede
1/ˈaɪ kənsˈid/
fixed phrase
admit the other person is right
Said when you accept that another person is right or that you have lost.
Exemples
- "All right, I concede," he said with a laugh.
- "I concede," she replied. "Your solution is better than mine."
- After hearing the final figures, he simply shrugged and said, "I concede."