capitulate

[kuh-pich-uh-leyt]

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

/ kəˈpɪtjʊˌleɪt /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of capitulate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of capitulate¹

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

Example Sentences

Hartnett predicts that if Friday’s CPI release for September is 3% or cooler, then bond vigilantes — investors who sell government bonds because they disapprove of its fiscal policies — will capitulate.

Read more on MarketWatch

Mr. Museveni “dismantled the nation Amin had built” when he “capitulated to the financial discipline demanded” by the International Monetary Fund and the West.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The discussions with officials from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, the countries with which Hamas has the closest ties, show the challenge in implementing a plan that requires the group to capitulate.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Netanyahu drew a hard line in the talks, demanding Hamas capitulate and shifting his focus to resolving the conflict through military action rather than diplomacy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The app's creator said such claims were "patently false" and accused Apple of "capitulating to an authoritarian regime."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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