1
as in succumbs
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 & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in surrenders
to yield to the control or power of enemy forces
the city reluctantly capitulated to the invaders after a three-day siege
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of capitulates
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
Mark Price, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capitulates
Verb
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Her sexuality is a source of conflict for her family, and the pressure leads to the painful breakup with her girlfriend, Rosie (Jess Gabor), who succumbs to family expectations.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
17 Dec. 2025
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Live, the band’s cataclysmic volume precludes close observation, and melodic detail succumbs to feedback like dust caught in an exploding star’s stratosphere.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
28 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Peter then surrenders to Catherine, who demands his explanation for going AWOL.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
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Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby are the secret weapons, and Nora Ephron's script never surrenders to sentimentality.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
USA Today,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Each state or local organization submits salary and travel data to the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts.—
Phoebe Quinton,
AJC.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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If passed, the AI Overwatch Act would revoke existing licenses for such AI chip transfers and impose a temporary ban until the administration submits a national security strategy on AI exports.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Going into Wednesday’s games, the Lakers rank 27th in opposing field goal percentage and 24th in defensive rating, an estimate of the amount of points a team concedes across a 100-possession span.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
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McDermott avoids houseplants for a simple house but concedes that any small, tidy plant that doesn't require much upkeep would be fine.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Capitulates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capitulates. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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