Word of the Day

: December 17, 2006

capitulate

verb kuh-PIH-chuh-layt

What It Means

1 : to surrender often after negotiation of terms

2 : to cease resisting : acquiesce

capitulate in Context

During negotiations for her comic strip, Sally let it be known that she was willing to forgo the large advance, but creative control was one area where she refused to capitulate.

Did You Know?

"Capitulate" and its synonyms "yield," "submit," and "succumb" all mean to give way to someone or something, with a few slight differences in emphasis. "Yield" may apply to any sort or degree of bowing to force, debate, or pleading ("yields too easily in any argument"). "Submit" suggests surrender, after resistance, to the will or control of another ("a sinner submitting to the will of God"). "Succumb" imputes weakness and helplessness to the person giving in, or an overwhelming power to the opposition ("succumbing to temptation"). "Capitulate" stresses the termination of all resistance and may imply either a coming to terms, as with an adversary, or hopelessness before an irresistible opposing force ("officials capitulated to the demands").

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.