submit

verb

sub·​mit səb-ˈmit 

submitted; submitting

transitive verb

1

a

: to yield to governance or authority

b

: to subject to a condition, treatment, or operation

the metal was submitted to analysis

2

: to present or propose to another for review, consideration, or decision

also : to deliver formally

submitted my resignation

3

: to put forward as an opinion or contention

we submit that the charge is not proved

intransitive verb

1

a

: to yield oneself to the authority or will of another : surrender

b

: to permit oneself to be subjected to something

had to submit to surgery

2

: to defer to or consent to abide by the opinion or authority of another

Synonyms

• blink
• bow
• budge
• capitulate
• concede
• give in
• knuckle under
• quit
• relent
• succumb
• surrender
• yield

Choose the Right Synonym for submit

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

Examples of submit in a Sentence

Candidates interested in the position should submit their résumés to the Office of Human Resources.

Submit your application no later than January 31st.

Requests must be submitted in writing.

Photographs submitted for publication will not be returned.

Recent Examples on the Web

Paperwork submitted by the plaintiff’s attorneys notifying district personnel about the lawsuit indicates damages may meet or exceed $3 million. —Antonio Planas, NBC News, 30 Nov. 2023

An early report that led to significant consequences occurred in May, 2023 when humiliated lawyers were fined $5,000 for submitting ChatGPT hallucinations in court. —Greg Licholai, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023

Its suppliers — chicken companies like Tyson Foods, Pilgrim’s Pride and a handful of others — are expected to compete with one another for KFC’s business by submitting confidential bids for contracts to sell to the fast-food chain’s franchises. —H. Claire Brown, New York Times, 29 Nov. 2023

He’s submitted several accepted emoji proposals to the Unicode Consortium. —Jay Peters, The Verge, 29 Nov. 2023

Amico’s bid, submitted on Tuesday, includes $1.1 billion in financing that would be used to repay lenders, such as hedge fund Citadel, pay off bankruptcy financing and fees, and fund the new company. —Paul Berger, WSJ, 29 Nov. 2023

The New Yorker Documentary View the latest or submit your own film. —Jeremy Workman, The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2023

In June, two lawyers were scolded and fined $5,000 by a federal judge in New York for submitting a legal brief that also cited nonexistent cases. —Bysteve Mollman, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2023

If your nonprofit would like to submit an event listing or photos of events that have happened recently, please email [e-mail]. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English submitten, from Latin submittere to lower, submit, from sub- + mittere to send

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

submit

verb

sub·​mit səb-ˈmit 

submitted; submitting

1

: to subject to a process or treatment

the metal was submitted to analysis

2

: to present to another for review or decision

submit a question to the court

submit a report

3

: to put forward as an opinion, reason, or idea

we submit that the facts have not been established

4

: to give in to the authority, control, or choice of another

Legal Definition

submit

verb

sub·​mit

submitted; submitting

transitive verb

1

: to yield or subject to control or authority

to submit himself to the jurisdiction of the tribal court

—Sheppard v. Sheppard, 655 P.2d 895 (1982)

2

a

: to present or propose to another for review, consideration, or decision

specifically : to commit to a trier of fact or law for decision after the close of trial or argument

the trial court could properly submit both counts to the jury

—Rorie Sherman

b

: to deliver formally

3

: to put forward as an opinion or contention

intransitive verb

1

: to yield oneself

parties to a contract may agree in advance to submit to the jurisdiction of a given court

—National Equipment Rental, Ltd. v. Szukhent, 375 U.S. 311 (1964)

2

: to defer to or consent to abide by the opinion of another