To admit, often reluctantly, that a point made by the opposing side is true or valid.
“The columnist concedes that online classes offer flexibility, but insists they lack real engagement.”
“He concedes that the new policy has some benefits, though he still opposes it overall.”
In viewpoint passages, writers often concede a small point to the other side before returning to their main argument, so look for this pattern to understand the passage's overall structure. Recognizing a concession helps you avoid mistaking it for the writer's actual conclusion.
Synonyms: admit, acknowledge, grant