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as in to capitulate
to yield to the control or power of enemy forces the fort's commander received orders not to submit under any circumstances, as reinforcements were on the way

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb submit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of submit are capitulate, defer, relent, succumb, and yield. While all these words mean "to give way to someone or something that one can no longer resist," 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 capitulate be used to replace submit?

The words capitulate and submit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 is it sensible to use defer instead of submit?

The words defer and submit can be used in similar contexts, but 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 relent a more appropriate choice than submit?

While in some cases nearly identical to submit, 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 might succumb be a better fit than submit?

Although the words succumb and submit have much in common, 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 would yield be a good substitute for submit?

The meanings of yield and submit largely overlap; 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 submit Thanks to everyone who submitted questions. Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025 Outgoing French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, who submitted his government's resignation to the French President this morning, reacts after delivering a statement at the Hotel Matignon in Paris, on October 6, 2025. Charlotte Reed, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025 The government was due to submit a draft budget next week – a deadline that now looks impossible to meet. Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025 The committee unanimously voted to submit the recommendation to the full council for approval. Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for submit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for submit
Verb
  • Everything has broken right for Egbuka since the moment he was drafted, with Chris Godwin having a setback from his 2024 injury, Jalen McMillan severely injuring his neck and then Mike Evans succumbing to his annual hamstring injury.
    Michael Salfino, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Some deer who succumb to the disease don't look sick, the state wildlife agency said.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Aside from a few brief side conversations, there wasn’t much to say after surrendering a season-high 379 passing yards to Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Lacy was later charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run with death and reckless operation of a vehicle and surrendered to police in mid-January.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Still, even critics conceded his knack for packaging and marketing.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Alaska's City of Fairbanks Mayor David Pruhs, a Republican, conceded to Mindy O'Neall, a Democrat, in the mayoral election on Tuesday night.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Submit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/submit. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on submit

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