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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 To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail. Crista V. Worthy, Denver Post, 13 May 2025 Six winners were selected from the more than 200 entries submitted to the competition, which showcases the diverse, fascinating and challenging work that scientists carry out all over the world. Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 13 May 2025 Although their mom, who died in 2011, didn't live to see the happy day, the reunion was set into motion in 2023, when Caller's daughter, Laura Polley, submitted a DNA sample to Ancestry.co.uk. Greta Bjornson, People.com, 13 May 2025 Alongside Spotify, Patreon has also submitted an iOS app update that allows creators to accept payments via non-Apple methods. Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for submit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for submit
Verb
  • Over time, the dead spacecraft succumbed to aerodynamic drag, slowly losing altitude before dipping deeper into the atmosphere in recent weeks.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2025
  • These are songs from a band that has not yet succumbed.
    Armond White, National Review, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • Despite peppering Providence goaltender Michael DiPietro with 40 shots while surrendering just 19, the Checkers fell 3-2 in Game 3 of their AHL Atlantic Division semifinal series.
    Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2025
  • The passenger got out of the car and surrendered, but state patrol officials said the driver refused to exit and pulled out a gun.
    Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • Speaking to Variety during the Cannes Film Festival, Leonidas Christopoulos, CEO of Creative Greece, concedes that there have been bureaucratic challenges since the organization’s launch.
    Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 18 May 2025
  • Now, after dispute the accuracy of the video for several months, the defense concedes that the footage is disturbing as an example of domestic violence.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 16 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Submit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/submit. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on submit

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