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

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capitulate British  

/ kəˈpɪtjʊˌleɪt /

verb

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

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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 ; 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.

Example Sentences

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Eastern Time on Tuesday — telling one reporter that “very little” would be off the table if Tehran doesn’t capitulate.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

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

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

In case anyone wonders if there’s any point in taking a stand only to be forced to capitulate down the road, I would invite you to consider an episode from last summer.

From Salon • Nov. 13, 2025

I was ready to capitulate without a groan.

From "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Houston

Related Words

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