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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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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If someone succumbs to the heat, promptly relocate them to a cool, shaded location.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
23 Sep. 2025
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When Day succumbs to his wounds, Dusk seizes the vacuum, claiming Hari Seldon’s psychohistory crystal.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At crucial moments, however, one force surrenders to the other to produce an ambiguous collaboration.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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Dallas has given up the most passing yards in the league, and their secondary surrenders lots of open windows.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Currently, federal law only guarantees a cow’s milk substitute—such as fortified soy milk—if a parent submits a physician’s note documenting a disability.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
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The city’s existing process has design work being completed either by city engineers or outside architects before a contractor is chosen — a decision based on which contractor submits the lowest bid.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hodak concedes that the biohybrid model poses perils.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
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Rodrik concedes that there is no tried and tested formula to achieve this.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Capitulates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capitulates. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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