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 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 The Fed Chair at the time capitulated, a move that helped trigger the decade’s hyperinflation. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2025 Witkoff traveled to Moscow in a last-ditch effort to get Putin to capitulate to Trump’s and Western calls for an end to the war, though the Kremlin chief was not expected to make great concessions in ending his war ambitions ahead of the trip. Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for capitulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capitulate
Verb
  • Facio, who also was hospitalized, succumbed to his injuries on June 8 — six days after he was shot in the face.
    Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The men in green were dominated from the start and eventually succumbed to the pressure, unable to even cross the 100-run mark.
    Paras J. Haji, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But on a day when Mizzou amassed 595 total yards, converted 4 of 5 fourth downs and got an excellent effort from first-year starting quarterback Beau Pribula, surrendering possession had to fill Kansas followers with a sense of dread.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
  • After allowing 18 chunk plays against Appalachian State, Charlotte surrendered just eight on Saturday night.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Only 127 of Indiana's 351 public school districts — or 36% — submitted mandatory injury data for the statewide report.
    IndyStar, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
  • It was seemingly first posted by an Instagram account called Washingtonian Problems (@washingtonianprobs), which said it was submitted anonymously by one of its members.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Executives concede that Toronto isn’t attracting the kind of wall-to-wall media attention that Cannes and Venice deliver.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Baker ended up with the worst figures for an English debutant, conceding 76 runs from seven overs.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Capitulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capitulate. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

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