capitulate
Americanverb (used without object)
-
capitulates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
capitulated,
past participle, past
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capitulating
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
capitulatesimple
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capitulatessimple
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have capitulatedperfect
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has capitulatedperfect
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am capitulatingprogressive
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are capitulatingprogressive
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is capitulatingprogressive
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have been capitulatingperfect progressive
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has been capitulatingperfect progressive
Past
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capitulatedsimple
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had capitulatedperfect
-
was capitulatingprogressive
-
were capitulatingprogressive
-
had been capitulatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of capitulate
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 ; see origin at capitulum, chapter ( def. ), -ate 1
Explanation
To capitulate means to give in to something. If your parents refuse to raise your allowance, you might try to argue until they capitulate. Good luck! To capitulate is to surrender outright or to give in under certain terms. Either way, you’re agreeing to something you don’t really want. The word comes from the Latin roots caput ("head") and capitulum ("headings"), a reference to the official agreement drawn up when someone formally surrendered.
Vocabulary lists containing capitulate
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It is clear that this is absolute harassment in order to get Disney to capitulate.
From Slate ● Jun. 2, 2026
And when they capitulate one by one…the market goes the ‘illogical’ way for much longer than people can remain in the position.”
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 13, 2026
He told his team that Tehran would likely capitulate before closing the strait—and even if Iran tried, the U.S. military could handle it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 14, 2026
Some of Silverstein’s critics accused him of using frivolous lawsuits as a delaying tactic, forcing real estate developers to capitulate or risk huge financial losses.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 2, 2025
That evening, I consulted with my friend and mentor, K.D., who felt that as a matter of principle I was correct to resign, and should not capitulate.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
In his October memo, “Three Tough Truths About Climate,” Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates capitulates, admitting, “It will not lead to humanity’s demise.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 22, 2026
It takes both sides to end a war, unless an opponent capitulates.
From Barron's ● Mar. 18, 2026
At one end of that continuum is “accommodation,” Reyes said, when a company apologizes unequivocally or capitulates fully to employee-activist demands.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2021
But what about big media that capitulates to the above hollowness?
From New York Times ● Jan. 1, 2019
But after arguing with Gauguin for weeks, he finally capitulates.
From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman
Iraola did make a raft of changes at the break and in the second half but that is no excuse for the way they capitulated against Daniel Farke's side.
From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2026
During his eight years as a Laker there seemed to be countless occasions when Lakers brass capitulated to his “demands.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 4, 2026
Only one sued state – Oklahoma – has thus far capitulated to the DOJ.
From Salon ● Apr. 3, 2026
Heading into the free skate section in the lead, Malinin capitulated, fluffing his signature quad axel jump and falling twice to the ice to plummet to eighth spot overall.
From Barron's ● Feb. 16, 2026
Having capitulated on the hair question, Dad put up an even sterner resistance against any future changes in dress.
From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
Still without a win in their return to the Premier League, Reading threw away any joy their fans were feeling as they led Arsenal 4-0 by capitulating to lose 7-5.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
The market has absorbed more than its fair share without capitulating.
From Barron's ● Mar. 6, 2026
European officials are searching for ways to respond to the president without escalating the situation into a broader trade spat or capitulating on security in the face of his trade threats.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 19, 2026
But if he’s a bear who’s capitulating, that’s another ominous sign.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 14, 2025
Even more strongly than Walter, he felt that by initiating talks it would appear that we were capitulating.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
