capitulate

[ kuh-pich-uh-leyt ]

/ kəˈpɪtʃ əˌleɪt /

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See synonyms for: capitulate / capitulating on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), ca·pit·u·lat·ed, ca·pit·u·lat·ing.

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.

to give up resistance: He finally capitulated and agreed to do the job my way.

OTHER WORDS FOR capitulate

2 yield, acquiesce, accede, give in.

See synonyms for capitulate on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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, -ate¹

OTHER WORDS FROM capitulate

ca·pit·u·lant, nounca·pit·u·la·tor, nounun·ca·pit·u·lat·ed, adjectiveun·ca·pit·u·lat·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH capitulate

capitulate , recapitulate

Words nearby capitulate

Capitol Peak, Capitol Reef National Park, Capitol, United States, capitular, capitulary, capitulate, capitulation, capitulationism, capitulum, capiz, cap jib

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use capitulate in a sentence

To get the gavels and move things along, Democrats may have to give up much of their power and capitulate to McConnell’s request on the filibuster.
Why Mitch McConnell Is Filibustering to Protect the Filibuster|Philip Elliott|January 22, 2021|Time
“There are not 13 votes for this pile of crap Mnuchin is capitulating on,” said a third Senate GOP aide familiar with the discussions.
Senate Republicans fume as Mnuchin gives ground to Pelosi in search of deal|Erica Werner, Jeff Stein|October 22, 2020|Washington Post
Even the liberal Chief Justice Centlivres capitulated, siding with the government’s appointees.
What Happened When South Africa’s Supreme Court Became Unbalanced|Fiona Zublin|October 16, 2020|Ozy
SDG&E, Berkshire Hathaway and other prospective bidders pressured the mayor to remove the clause, and he capitulated.
San Diego Is Headed Toward Another Bad Deal Unless Leaders Intervene|Brian Pollard|October 1, 2020|Voice of San Diego

These big cuts were coming and everyone in Sacramento capitulated.
How Los Angeles and San Diego Unified Started Driving State Education Policy|Will Huntsberry|July 29, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Much like Jamie, he acknowledges—but will not capitulate to—the circumscribed world they create.
This Week’s Hot Reads: December 22, 2014|Mythili Rao|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But instead of fighting the trend, too many of us simply capitulate—lazy, credulous fools that we are.
Walmart Lifts Black Friday’s Curse|James Poulos|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He knew his best friend, Chief Taylor, would stand by him and that Stilts would have to capitulate.
‘Tracing the Blue Light’: Read Chapter 1 of Eileen Cronin’s ‘Mermaid’|Eileen Cronin|April 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nor is the stubborn, shrewd prime minsiter known to capitulate easily, or to misread public sentiment.
Why Did Netanyahu Release Palestinian Prisoners?|Abraham Katsman|August 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As he is walking out the door, the Japanese call him back, capitulate, and a happy medium is agreed on.
‘A Hijacking,’ the Somali Pirate Movie Without Tom Hanks, Is Fantastic|Tom Sykes|July 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
General Augusti was personally inclined to capitulate, but was dissuaded from doing so by his officers.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
He stuck to the desperate situation by strength of arm, rather than capitulate with his conscience.
Balsamo, The Magician|Alexander Dumas
All the castle had opened its heart to Mary,—even Sebastian; though the churchman did not capitulate without a struggle.
God Wills It!|William Stearns Davis
When the Congress of Ghent assembled in 1576, the castle was occupied by a Spanish garrison, who refused to capitulate.
Belgium|George W. T. (George William Thomson) Omond
Monarchies may capitulate, republics die and bear their testimony even to martyrdom.
The Life of Mazzini|Bolton King

British Dictionary definitions for capitulate

capitulate

/ (kəˈpɪtjʊˌleɪt) /

verb

(intr) to surrender, esp under agreed conditions

Derived forms of capitulate

capitulator, noun

Word Origin for capitulate

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

capitulate

OTHER WORDS FOR capitulate

Origin of capitulate

OTHER WORDS FROM capitulate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH capitulate

Words nearby capitulate

Words related to capitulate

How to use capitulate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for capitulate

Derived forms of capitulate

Word Origin for capitulate