CAPITULATE Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'capitulate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of capitulate are defer , relent , submit , succumb , and yield . While all these words mean "to give way to someone or something that one can no longer resist," capitulate stresses the fact of ending all resistance and may imply either a coming to terms (as with an adversary) or hopelessness in the face of an irresistible opposing force. // officials capitulated to the protesters' demands

Q: When would 'defer' be a good substitute for 'capitulate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to capitulate , defer implies a voluntary yielding or submitting out of respect or reverence for or deference and affection toward another. // I defer to your expertise in these matters

Q: When is it sensible to use 'relent' instead of 'capitulate'?

While the synonyms relent and capitulate are close in meaning, relent implies a yielding through pity or mercy by one who holds the upper hand. // finally relented and let the children stay up late

Q: When can 'submit' be used instead of 'capitulate'?

The synonyms submit and capitulate are sometimes interchangeable, but submit suggests full surrendering after resistance or conflict to the will or control of another. // a repentant sinner vowing to submit to the will of God

Q: When could 'succumb' be used to replace 'capitulate'?

The words succumb and capitulate can be used in similar contexts, but succumb implies weakness and helplessness to the one that gives way or an overwhelming power to the opposing force. // a stage actor succumbing to the lure of Hollywood

Q: When is 'yield' a more appropriate choice than 'capitulate'?

In some situations, the words yield and capitulate are roughly equivalent. However, yield may apply to any sort or degree of giving way before force, argument, persuasion, or entreaty. // yields too easily in any argument

capitulate

verb

kə-ˈpi-chə-ˌlāt

Definition of capitulate next

as in to succumb

to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control) one side finally capitulated when it became clear that they couldn't win the argument

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as in to surrender

to yield to the control or power of enemy forces the city reluctantly capitulated to the invaders after a three-day siege

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How does the verb capitulate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of capitulate are defer, relent, submit, succumb, and yield. While all these words mean "to give way to someone or something that one can no longer resist," capitulate stresses the fact of ending all resistance and may imply either a coming to terms (as with an adversary) or hopelessness in the face of an irresistible opposing force.

officials capitulated to the protesters' demands

When would defer be a good substitute for capitulate?

While in some cases nearly identical to capitulate, defer implies a voluntary yielding or submitting out of respect or reverence for or deference and affection toward another.

I defer to your expertise in these matters

When is it sensible to use relent instead of capitulate?

While the synonyms relent and capitulate are close in meaning, relent implies a yielding through pity or mercy by one who holds the upper hand.

finally relented and let the children stay up late

When can submit be used instead of capitulate?

The synonyms submit and capitulate are sometimes interchangeable, but submit suggests full surrendering after resistance or conflict to the will or control of another.

a repentant sinner vowing to submit to the will of God

When could succumb be used to replace capitulate?

The words succumb and capitulate can be used in similar contexts, but succumb implies weakness and helplessness to the one that gives way or an overwhelming power to the opposing force.

a stage actor succumbing to the lure of Hollywood

When is yield a more appropriate choice than capitulate?

In some situations, the words yield and capitulate are roughly equivalent. However, yield may apply to any sort or degree of giving way before force, argument, persuasion, or entreaty.

yields too easily in any argument

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of capitulate The criticism extended beyond Capitol Hill, with prominent MAGA voices on social media also accusing Thune of capitulating to Democrats on one of the movement's core priorities. —

Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026 General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, cautioned Trump in the run-up to the invasion, but the president dismissed the warning, believing that Iran would capitulate instead. —

Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026 Yet the air campaign, costing billions of dollars, has not forced Iran to capitulate and loosen its grip on the strait. —

Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026 Iran has so far shown no sign of capitulating to the American-Israeli assault, despite the killings of its supreme leader and other senior officials. —

Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for capitulate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for capitulate

Verb

Shepard uses her last ounce of strength to kill the final hitman before succumbing to her injuries.

— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Elaine Dube succumbed to her injuries and died at UMass Medical Center in Worcester.

— Francie Ebert, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026

Definition of succumb

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capitulary

capitulate

capitulated

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“Capitulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capitulate. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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