capitulate

[kuh-pich-uh-leyt]

verb (used without object)

capitulated, capitulating 

1. to surrender unconditionally or on stipulated terms.

   When he saw the extent of the forces arrayed against him, the king capitulated, and signed their list of demands.

2. to give up resistance.

   He finally capitulated and agreed to do the job my way.

   Synonyms: accede, acquiesce, yield

capitulate

/ kəˈpɪtjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. (intr) to surrender, esp under agreed conditions

Other Word Forms

• capitulant noun
• capitulator noun
• uncapitulated adjective
• uncapitulating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of capitulate¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Medieval Latin capitulātus (past participle of capitulāre “to draw up in sections”), equivalent to capitul(um) “section,” literally, “small head” + -ātus ; capitulum, chapter ( def. ), -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of capitulate¹

C16 (meaning: to arrange under heads, draw up in order; hence, to make terms of surrender): from Medieval Latin capitulare to draw up under heads, from capitulum _chapter

Example Sentences

The app's creator said such claims were "patently false" and accused Apple of "capitulating to an authoritarian regime."

From BBC

Scheiring observed “a key underlying story is that media owners, both foreign and domestic, largely capitulated individually rather than mounting collective resistance, which enabled Orbán’s systematic capture strategy.”

From Salon

"So a company apparently capitulating to the whims of the president in order to ensure their merger goes through - has that ever happened before?"

From BBC

But his show’s suspension quickly ignited fierce debate, with critics accusing ABC and its parent company, Disney, of capitulating to political pressure.

From Los Angeles Times

“It makes no sense to capitulate to corporate interests who use the cover of flawed research and political threats to benefit themselves at the expense of working-class Angelenos,” the group said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bow 
• cave in 
• cede 
• concede 
• defer 
• relent 
• succumb 
• surrender