capitulate

American  

[kuh-pich-uh-leyt] / kəˈpɪtʃ əˌleɪt /

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 British  

/ kəˈpɪtjʊˌleɪt /

verb

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

---

Other Word Forms

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

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 ; 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.

Example Sentences

If he did this, however, Tehran would be unlikely to capitulate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

“Iran will be forced to capitulate at some point,” writes BCA Research Chief Strategist Marko Papic.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

England capitulate to a damning eight-wicket defeat on day four of the second Test to give Australia a 2-0 lead in The Ashes.

From BBC • Dec. 7, 2025

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

He kept her for some weeks, and then, seeing that she would not capitulate, sent her oil' to the coast in exile.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

Related Words

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