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

Example 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 Instead, United capitulated, turning in what remains the worst defeat of Farke’s tenure. Beren Cross, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025 Schumer has faced intense pushback on the left this week, with progressives accusing him of capitulating to Republicans — who hold slim majorities in the Senate and House — on a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through September. Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025 Chastened by the nationalistic fervor that accompanied the victory over Austria, the Diet capitulated. Christine Adams / Made By History, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025 But new and legacy spending ambitions continue unabated, as Congress—despite the GOP’s small-government rhetoric—has long capitulated to progressive aims. Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for capitulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capitulate
Verb
  • All the Sumerian cities of Mesopotamia succumbed to the same fate and were conquered by Sargon.
    Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • An estimated 1,323 Californians have succumbed to the flu as of the week ending March 8, including 19 children.
    Harriet Blair Rowan, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • On Thursday, Ehrlich surrendered himself to authorities at the Lakewood Township Police headquarters before being transported to Ocean County Jail, where he’s currently being held, according to prosecutor Bradley Billhimer.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Eight others have had their certifications temporarily suspended, and three officers voluntarily surrendered their licenses.
    Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Robert Farley, chief of the North Bergen Police Department, is the focus of several notices to sue that were submitted by officers to the Township of North Bergen — which the first step in filing a complaint against an employer in the state — according to documents obtained by PEOPLE.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • In the Senate, there were seven testimonies submitted favoring SB 399, including a letter from NextEra Energy Transmission MidAtlantic in support of is project to build the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link transmission line.
    Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Afterwards, Farke conceded he had been tempted to start Gnonto in Aaronson’s place.
    Beren Cross, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025
  • In November, Zelenskyy conceded not all territory could be won back by force and may have to remain under de facto Russian control after a settlement.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 19 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Capitulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capitulate. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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