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.

No one expected Musk to cede any control of SpaceX.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

In doing so, he struck a delicate balance, as he had to shift production in a way that didn’t alienate Chinese consumers or cede market share to domestic Chinese competitors.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

Maine faces a straightforward choice: compete for this investment or cede it to others.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

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

From Slate • Mar. 4, 2026

I cede control to my lower half, which is actually pointing toward my room, and lead Nia to it.

From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini

Vocabulary lists containing cede

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