capitulate
Americanverb (used without object)
verb
Other Word Forms
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.
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
“Iran will be forced to capitulate at some point,” writes BCA Research Chief Strategist Marko Papic.
From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026
He believed that Tehran would likely capitulate before it could close the strait or cause significant economic damage.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026
First, he could capitulate to U.S. demands to halt Iran’s nuclear enrichment program.
From Salon • Jan. 11, 2026
In reality, as he saw now, he had been ready to capitulate long before he had taken the decision.
From "1984" by George Orwell
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.
