1
2
3
as in to capitulate
to yield to the control or power of enemy forces the fort's commander received orders not to submit under any circumstances, as reinforcements were on the way

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb submit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of submit are capitulate, defer, relent, succumb, and yield. While all these words mean "to give way to someone or something that one can no longer resist," 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 capitulate be used to replace submit?

The words capitulate and submit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 is it sensible to use defer instead of submit?

The words defer and submit can be used in similar contexts, but 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 relent a more appropriate choice than submit?

While in some cases nearly identical to submit, 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 might succumb be a better fit than submit?

Although the words succumb and submit have much in common, 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 would yield be a good substitute for submit?

The meanings of yield and submit largely overlap; 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 submit Users are already submitting reimbursement for Ladder to their workplaces, while more companies are reaching out to ask about an enterprise-level version, Stewart says. Claire Rychlewski, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024 To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail. Richard Stacy, The Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2024 The horror publication reported Tuesday that the film will be submitted for awards season consideration in such categories as Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor. Tim Lammers, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 The bidding process will mostly be focused on the 2027 edition, which Brazil is hosting, but media companies can also submit a bid for 2031. Tim Baysinger, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for submit 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for submit
Verb
  • One of those meteorites eventually succumbed to Earth’s gravitational pull after a lengthy journey through space, sending it on a trajectory that ended in Indiana.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
  • In 1796, Philipp, only forty-four years old, succumbed to pneumonia.
    Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Either drop it off at your county's Election Office before polls close or surrender it at your polling place and vote in person.
    Linh Ta, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Voters who attempt to do this will be offered the option of surrendering their ballot and voting in person instead.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Supporters react as Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, concedes the election during a speech at Howard University on Nov. 6, 2024, in Washington, DC.
    Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Harris voters are almost certain — 9 in 10 — that Trump would not concede but Harris would.
    Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near submit

Cite this Entry

“Submit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/submit. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on submit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!