conceding

Conceding is the act of yielding or granting something in response to a claim, demand, or contest. It can mean admitting that a statement or position is true or valid, yielding ground in a dispute, or granting rights or privileges. The term derives from the Latin concedere, meaning "to grant, to yield."

In argument and debate, conceding a point can acknowledge a fact or argument you cannot refute. Such concession may strengthen an overall position by showing reasonableness, though excessive concession can weaken it. In negotiation, conceding accommodations or terms is a tactical choice aimed at reaching agreement while protecting core interests.

In sports and games, to concede often means to surrender a match or allow an opponent to score, typically to avoid futher risk or prolongation. In politics and public policy, concession can refer to a compromise or to a formal concession of defeat in an election, sometimes accompanied by a concession speech.

In law and commerce, a concession can be a formal grant of rights or property by a government or other authority, such as mining or exploration concessions. The verb concede is also used to acknowledge the validity of evidence, a claim, or a fact in court or contract discussions.

Conceding can serve to de-escalate conflicts and facilitate cooperation, but it may also be a strategic risk depending on power dynamics and stakes. Depending on context, conceding is practiced as a form of negotiation, humility, or precise acknowledgment rather than mere surrender.