Thesaurus

capitulate

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of capitulate

1 to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control)

One side finally capitulated when it became clear that they couldn't win the argument.

Synonyms of capitulate

blink, bow, budge, concede, give in, knuckle under, quit, relent, submit, succumb, surrender, yield

Words Related to capitulate

Phrases Synonymous with capitulate

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

Near Antonyms of capitulate

contend, fight, hold off

battle, breast, combat, confront, counter, defy, face, meet, object, oppose, repel

thwart, withstand

Antonyms of capitulate

2 to yield to the control or power of enemy forces

The city reluctantly capitulated to the invaders after a three-day siege.

Synonyms of capitulate

fall, give up, knuckle under, submit, succumb, surrender

Words Related to capitulate

bow, buckle, cave (in), collapse, give (in)

hand over, relinquish

concede, fail, fold

Near Antonyms of capitulate

buck, defy, fight, oppose, repel, resist, withstand

beat, overcome, win

conquer, prevail, triumph

Antonyms of capitulate

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

Learn More about capitulate

See words that rhyme with capitulate Dictionary: Definition of capitulate Spanish Central: Translation of capitulate Nglish: Translation of capitulate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of capitulate for Arabic speakers

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