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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Where Uthmeier succumbs to bigotry is in the presumption that DEI means unqualified.—
Howard L. Simon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
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But her character succumbs to Ducournau’s convoluted plotting.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Just like that, Cassie surrenders her image to Maddy’s control.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
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Robert Simmons surrenders to police following a seven-hour standoff.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In a related lawsuit, a coalition of cultural preservation and architecture groups, including the American Institute of Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is also suing to halt the closure until the Center submits renovation plans to Congress for its approval.—
Elizabeth Blair,
NPR,
30 Apr. 2026
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SpaceX routinely submits regulatory filings to authorize new gateway sites.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The mayor concedes some residents have concerns about the impact the gondola may have on the character of their quiet town.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
30 Apr. 2026
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Nationally, the left often concedes first in the name of pragmatism, while more conservative factions hold firm and extract concessions.—
Darius Khalil Gordon,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Capitulates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capitulates. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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