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 But China is sticking to its guns and continuing to indicate an unwillingness to capitulate to Trump’s pressure campaign. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 8 May 2025 Pushing Back Some subjects of the OCR’s new directives and investigations have capitulated. Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 2 May 2025 By contrast, more than 10 firms—including the two wealthiest firms in the US—have all capitulated to Trump or helped coordinate another firm's capitulation. Aron Solomon, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025 But Harvard’s president did not entirely capitulate to the administration, standing up to assertions the university is partisan. Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for capitulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capitulate
Verb
  • Sadly, Verstappen is not the only multiple-time world champion to succumb to such behavior.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 June 2025
  • At the former, Zosia quietly sits with Kiko, who has just succumbed to his gunshot wound.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • The measure has proven durable because its benefits were tangible, and voters seldom surrender benefits.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 2 June 2025
  • The stock surrendered 45% of its market capitalization to close the month at $1.56 a share, making for a company value of $338 million.
    Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • Applications will be reviewed in the order they are submitted.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
  • This includes 11 hours devoted to record-keeping, five hours for tax planning, and eight hours for completing and submitting forms.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Both players were sloppy in the first set, conceding 21 break-point chances and making 48 unforced errors between them, with Sabalenka making 32 yet still winning the set.
    Jerome Pugmire, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025
  • However, after the first, Canady only conceded two hits and accumulated four strikeouts in the next four innings.
    Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Capitulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capitulate. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.

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