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 The finding that Columbia violated Title VI comes after the university capitulated to many of the Trump administration’s demands, such as revising its disciplinary and protesting policies. Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 4 June 2025 The Trump Administration has targeted international students at the elite university in a punitive move over the school’s refusal to sufficiently capitulate to a list of demands. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 19 June 2025 But Iran doesn’t seem ready to capitulate, The Economist’s Middle East editor noted: Officials told the Journal that Tehran feels Israel lacks a clear exit strategy and can’t afford to get caught in a war of attrition; a priority is keeping the US out of the fight. J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 16 June 2025 Despite pressure from Henry VIII, and pleas from his family to capitulate, More remained steadfast. Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for capitulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capitulate
Verb
  • In a moment that is almost cliché, the lawyer is the first to succumb to the terror of the T-Rex.
    Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Some leaders recently have succumbed to such efforts and paid the piper, while others have resisted.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Octavia Graham, 52, surrendered herself to authorities June 30 following a warrant for her arrest.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2025
  • However, he’s now surrendered four dingers over seven games since coming off the IL.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • But there’s another reason for it: the handwritten paragraph also begins a paper trail, attesting to voice and style, that a teaching assistant can consult if a suspicious paper is submitted.
    Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • Or a therapist who submits weekly reports for a patient, only to later discover that the patient had been in custody for months.
    William Jones, USA Today, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • In their five World Cup matches, the Netherlands conceded only two goals with Spitse on the pitch.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 5 July 2025
  • To get to a supermajority on partial overrides, the four members conceded on some of Gloria’s vetoes, such as elimination of $250,000 for a homeless outreach team.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Capitulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capitulate. Accessed 12 Jul. 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!