cede

cede — verb

1. to formally give up possession, control, or authority over something to another

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to formally give up possession, control, or authority over something to another person or group, often unwillingly or as part of an official agreement such as a treaty or contract

例句

After losing the war, the country ceded the coastal province to its rival.

collocation: cede + territory / province

The company's founder ceded control of the business to her eldest son last year.

pattern: cede + control + to + person

同義詞
  • surrender

    stronger connotation of defeat or force; often used in military or confrontational contexts

  • relinquish

    more neutral and slightly less formal; implies letting go without necessarily being forced

  • yield

    can be used for arguments or physical position; broader and more flexible than cede

  • transfer

    neutral and businesslike; does not imply unwillingness or pressure

反義詞
  • retain

    to keep possession of something rather than giving it away

  • hold on to

    informal phrasal variant of retain; to keep despite pressure to give up

文法句型

cede + noun + to + noun

用法筆記

Frequently used in formal, political, legal, or business contexts. The object is typically something of significant value or authority — territory, power, control, rights, or a formal position. Common pattern: cede + noun + to + noun. Unlike 'give up' or 'hand over,' cede almost always carries the implication that the transfer happens under pressure, obligation, or formal arrangement.

常見錯誤

❌The manager ceded his pen to the visitor.
✅The manager handed his pen to the visitor.
💡Cede is too formal and weighty for everyday objects; it implies significant power, territory, or rights.
❌She ceded to his demands.
✅She yielded to his demands.' / 'She gave in to his demands.
💡Cede always takes a direct object (something is ceded); it is not followed directly by 'to.' Use 'cede + noun + to.'