CAPITULATE Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'capitulate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of capitulate are defer , relent , submit , succumb , and yield . While all these words mean "to give way to someone or something that one can no longer resist," capitulate stresses the fact of ending all resistance and may imply either a coming to terms (as with an adversary) or hopelessness in the face of an irresistible opposing force. // officials capitulated to the protesters' demands

Q: When would 'defer' be a good substitute for 'capitulate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to capitulate , defer implies a voluntary yielding or submitting out of respect or reverence for or deference and affection toward another. // I defer to your expertise in these matters

Q: When is it sensible to use 'relent' instead of 'capitulate'?

While the synonyms relent and capitulate are close in meaning, relent implies a yielding through pity or mercy by one who holds the upper hand. // finally relented and let the children stay up late

Q: When can 'submit' be used instead of 'capitulate'?

The synonyms submit and capitulate are sometimes interchangeable, but submit suggests full surrendering after resistance or conflict to the will or control of another. // a repentant sinner vowing to submit to the will of God

Q: When could 'succumb' be used to replace 'capitulate'?

The words succumb and capitulate can be used in similar contexts, but succumb implies weakness and helplessness to the one that gives way or an overwhelming power to the opposing force. // a stage actor succumbing to the lure of Hollywood

Q: When is 'yield' a more appropriate choice than 'capitulate'?

In some situations, the words yield and capitulate are roughly equivalent. However, yield may apply to any sort or degree of giving way before force, argument, persuasion, or entreaty. // yields too easily in any argument

capitulate

verb

kə-ˈpi-chə-ˌlāt

Definition of capitulate next

as in to succumb

to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control) one side finally capitulated when it became clear that they couldn't win the argument

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to surrender

to yield to the control or power of enemy forces the city reluctantly capitulated to the invaders after a three-day siege

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb capitulate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of capitulate are defer, relent, submit, succumb, and yield. While all these words mean "to give way to someone or something that one can no longer resist," capitulate stresses the fact of ending all resistance and may imply either a coming to terms (as with an adversary) or hopelessness in the face of an irresistible opposing force.

officials capitulated to the protesters' demands

When would defer be a good substitute for capitulate?

While in some cases nearly identical to capitulate, defer implies a voluntary yielding or submitting out of respect or reverence for or deference and affection toward another.

I defer to your expertise in these matters

When is it sensible to use relent instead of capitulate?

While the synonyms relent and capitulate are close in meaning, relent implies a yielding through pity or mercy by one who holds the upper hand.

finally relented and let the children stay up late

When can submit be used instead of capitulate?

The synonyms submit and capitulate are sometimes interchangeable, but submit suggests full surrendering after resistance or conflict to the will or control of another.

a repentant sinner vowing to submit to the will of God

When could succumb be used to replace capitulate?

The words succumb and capitulate can be used in similar contexts, but succumb implies weakness and helplessness to the one that gives way or an overwhelming power to the opposing force.

a stage actor succumbing to the lure of Hollywood

When is yield a more appropriate choice than capitulate?

In some situations, the words yield and capitulate are roughly equivalent. However, yield may apply to any sort or degree of giving way before force, argument, persuasion, or entreaty.

yields too easily in any argument

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of capitulate Evan Greer: Billionaires Like Zuckerberg and Musk Act in Their Own Interest Big Tech social media giants like Meta will always capitulate to the pressures of authoritarian governments if there is money to be made in the process. —

Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025 Then, as Wrexham added two more after the break, Barrow and MK Dons capitulated against Gillingham and Mansfield Town respectively. —

Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024 The fourth panel has only Hudson's trademark cursive writing, like lines in a ledger book, dedicating the quilt to the Native children who did not capitulate to the administrators and federal officials who carried out federal Indian boarding school policies. —

Adam Burke, NPR, 9 Dec. 2024 That is a big part of it but a team that has been imperious for so long shouldn’t capitulate like this because one player is out. —

Joe Prince-Wright, Nbc Sports, NBC News, 1 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for capitulate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for capitulate

Verb

The starling succumbed to competition and predation.

Scott Travers, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
According to Bessette, Gonzalez succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital and was pronounced dead.

Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2025