Definitions

cede

[seed] / sid /

VERB

abandon, surrender

Synonyms

STRONGEST

capitulate communicate concede give in give up grant hand over relinquish renounce sign over transfer waive

STRONG

abdicate accord alien alienate allow convey drop fold leave resign vouchsafe yield

WEAK

abalienate come across with deed fork over make over part with remise throw in the sponge throw in the towel

Antonyms

STRONGEST

fight hold keep refuse

STRONG

challenge continue deny disallow disapprove maintain oppose reject retain withhold

WEAK

defend gain guard take over win

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It would be a missed opportunity to cede this stage.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 25, 2026

Ford Motor, GM and Jeep-Ram parent Stellantis would eventually cede the small-car market entirely to these competitors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

The Chagos Islands are currently owned by the UK, but the British government has agreed to cede sovereignty of them to Mauritius and lease back the base on Diego Garcia.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

These descriptions do not suggest in any way that Congress “intended to cede its taxing power.”

From Slate • Mar. 4, 2026

Hollander’s essay and the comments of Lethem and Plagens cede ground and seem to grant that art and literature are too soft to withstand scientific examination.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Vocabulary lists containing cede

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