concede

Concede is a verb meaning to admit that something is true or valid, to yield or grant, or to surrender a point, territory, or victory. The term derives from the Latin concedere, “to yield.” As a flexible word, it appears in several domains.

In argument and debate, conceding a point means acknowledging an opponent’s factual claim or logical premise. This can be a strategic move to clarify the disagreement or to prevent pointless arguing.

In elections and politics, conceding defeat refers to public acknowledgment that one did not win. Timing and tone matter, and concessions may be followed by announcements or calls for unity.

In law and diplomacy, a party may concede certain facts, terms, or even jurisdiction to reach a settlement. The noun concession is frequently used to denote an explicit acceptance or a negotiated compromise.

In sports and games, a contestant or team may concede when further play is unnecessary, thereby ending the match early.

Concede often appears with phrases such as concede ground, concede a claim, concede defeat, or concede an argument. It carries a sense of voluntary yield rather than coercion, and can reflect good faith, strategic calculation, or both.

Examples: She conceded the error after reviewing the report. The candidate conceded defeat late on election night. The defense conceded one of the prosecution’s key facts. In chess, a player may concede the game when checkmate seems inevitable.