conceded: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal; common in news, politics, sports, debates, and academic discussion.
Quick answer
What does “conceded” mean?
Admitted that something is true or valid after initially resisting or denying it.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Admitted that something is true or valid after initially resisting or denying it.
1) Surrendered or yielded a point, position, or advantage, often in a competition or argument. 2) Granted or allowed something, often reluctantly. 3) Admitted defeat in a game or contest.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences.
Connotations
In UK sports journalism, 'conceded' is heavily used for goals/points allowed by a team. In US political discourse, 'conceded the election' is a highly formal and significant act.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English in sports contexts (e.g., 'conceded a penalty'). Equally common in both varieties in political/legal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “conceded” in a Sentence
[subject] conceded [object] (e.g., He conceded the point).[subject] conceded (that) [clause] (e.g., She conceded that she was wrong).[subject] conceded [indirect object] [direct object] (e.g., They conceded us the right of way).[subject] conceded [something] to [someone] (e.g., The team conceded a goal to their rivals).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conceded” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The manager finally conceded that the new policy was unpopular.
- Chelsea conceded an early goal in the match.
American English
- The senator conceded the election before all votes were counted.
- The lawyer conceded the witness's point to maintain credibility.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
After the audit, the CFO conceded that the financial projections had been overly optimistic.
Academic
The scholar conceded the limitations of her methodology in the conclusion of her paper.
Everyday
Okay, you're right, I conceded—taking the motorway would have been faster.
Technical
The defendant's counsel conceded the factual accuracy of the evidence presented.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conceded”
- Incorrect: *'He conceded to my arguments.' (Correct: 'He conceded my arguments' or 'He conceded *that* my arguments were right'). Overusing in informal contexts where 'admitted' or 'said okay' is more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. In very casual speech, people are more likely to say 'gave in', 'said okay', or 'admitted'. Using 'conceded' adds a tone of formality or significance to the admission.
'Admitted' is general. 'Confessed' implies admitting something wrong or secret, often with guilt. 'Conceded' specifically implies yielding in the face of argument or evidence after resistance.
Yes, but usually in formal or competitive contexts (e.g., 'conceded territory', 'conceded a goal', 'conceded ten metres to the stronger scrum'). It's not used for everyday objects.
The noun is 'concession'. The act of conceding is a 'concession' (e.g., 'He made a major concession in the negotiations').
Admitted that something is true or valid after initially resisting or denying it.
Conceded: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈsiːdɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈsidɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Concede ground (to yield in an argument).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CONCEDE' as 'CON' (together/with) + 'CEDE' (to yield or go). You are yielding together with the other person's point of view.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT IS WAR (conceding ground, surrendering a point). KNOWLEDGE IS POSSESSION (granting a point to someone).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'conceded' LEAST appropriate?