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 Kaas believed that capitulating to Hitler’s demands would protect his party and buy time for a more significant resistance. Daniel Ziblatt, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2025 So far, Harvard hasn’t capitulated. Amy O’Kruk, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025 Whereas others directly involved in the ad industry may be tempted to make a deal like Omnicon's to settle litigation, MMFA refuses to capitulate to Musk or the FTC, vowing to fight both battles to the bitter end. Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2025 Pythons are constrictors, known to grip prey in their jaws, coil around it, then squeeze until the victim capitulates. Mark Price, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for capitulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capitulate
Verb
  • Here are some steps to prevent your team from succumbing to the sense of powerlessness associated with the Great Lock-In trend.
    Juliette Han, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • And when Jîna succumbed to her injuries on September 16, the Shargh reporter Niloofar Hamedi defied orders to keep quiet and told the world about her death in a tweet.
    Fatemeh Jamalpour, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Authorities have not yet revealed the full details of how Robinson was detained, but multiple reports suggested that his father urged him to surrender after recognizing his son in the grainy surveillance footage released by police.
    Richard Hall, Time, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Once Bailey reached home, the official completion of a walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning, Bailey surrendered himself to the moment.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Kave submitted a letter about the layoffs to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles last Thursday.
    Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • François Bayrou submitted his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, who accepted it.
    Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • On the 18th hole of the final match, Nicklaus sank his par putt and then conceded Tony Jacklin’s short par putt, ensuring both the match and the Ryder Cup ended in a tie.
    Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • But Democrats have long conceded that the party needs a new vision after voters soundly rejected their presidential ticket last fall, and internal squabbles about the party’s future have spilled out into the public.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Capitulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capitulate. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on capitulate

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!