capitulate

verb ca·pit·u·late \ kə-ˈpi-chə-ˌlāt \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of capitulate

capitulated; capitulating

intransitive verb

1 archaic : parley, negotiate

2 a : to surrender often after negotiation of terms

The enemy was forced to capitulate unconditionally.

b : to cease resisting : acquiesce

The company capitulated to the labor union to avoid a strike.

See capitulate defined for English-language learners

See capitulate defined for kids

capitulate was our Word of the Day on 10/20/2015. Hear the podcast!

Examples of capitulate in a Sentence

The country still refuses to capitulate despite its weakening army and dwindling resources.
The teacher refused to capitulate: no calculators were to be used during the exam.

Recent Examples of capitulate from the Web

Plus, Liverpool has already capitulated when holding a 3-0 lead in Champions League this season, and that came in a single match against Sevilla (although that was before Virgil Van Dijk was signed to stabilize the defense).

— avi creditor, SI.com, "Does Any Trailing Team Have a Comeback Shot in Champions League Quarterfinals?," 6 Apr. 2018
The publications capitulated, retracting, apologizing and paying up big bucks.

— maria puente, USA TODAY, "Will first lady Melania Trump take a higher profile in 2018?," 3 Jan. 2018
The old Soviet establishment that still ran Russian ice hockey with absolute power refused to capitulate so easily.

— keith gave, Detroit Free Press, "Russian Five: How Konstantinov faked cancer to join Detroit Red Wings," 26 Mar. 2018
Should Israel abandon policy and capitulate, or mount a rescue?

— tom russo, BostonGlobe.com, "‘7 Days in Entebbe’ tells the tale of a flight held hostage in Uganda," 15 Mar. 2018
Opposition figures in Ethiopia’s extensive diaspora claimed that the government capitulated in the face of popular pressure.

— paul schemm, Washington Post, "Ethiopia’s prime minister resigns amid political turmoil," 15 Feb. 2018
The Dow Jones industrial average nosedived more than 300 points in early trading Monday before recouping much of its losses by mid-morning then capitulating another 200 points in the early afternoon.

— randy tucker, Cincinnati.com, "Why the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped as Trump came to Cincinnati to tout tax cuts," 5 Feb. 2018
Previously bearish equity investors have capitulated and newly jittery bondholders have reallocated — and understandably so.

— tom saler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Tide may be changing where markets are concerned," 27 Jan. 2018
Harris is kinder to Chamberlain than many historians are, portraying him as an intelligent man desperate to avoid war, not merely a hapless politician who capitulated to evil.

— adam woog, The Seattle Times, "New in crime fiction: a wicked noir, a World War II-era thriller," 23 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'capitulate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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").

Origin and Etymology of capitulate

Medieval Latin capitulatus, past participle of capitulare to distinguish by heads or chapters, from Late Latin capitulum — see capitulary

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1596

See Words from the same year

capitulate Synonyms

Phrases

say uncle, throw in the towel (also throw in the sponge);

Synonym Discussion of capitulate

yield, submit, capitulate, succumb, relent, defer mean to give way to someone or something that one can no longer resist. yield may apply to any sort or degree of giving way before force, argument, persuasion, or entreaty.

- yields too easily in any argument

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

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

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

relent implies a yielding through pity or mercy by one who holds the upper hand.

- finally relented and let the children stay up late

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

CAPITULATE Defined for English Language Learners

capitulate

verb

Definition of capitulate for English Language Learners

: to stop fighting an enemy or opponent : to admit that an enemy or opponent has won
: to stop trying to fight or resist something : to agree to do or accept something that you have been resisting or opposing