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 ; capitulum, chapter ( def. ), -ate ¹

Example Sentences

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

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

He told his team that Tehran would likely capitulate before closing the strait—and even if Iran tried, the U.S. military could handle it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

In their previous meeting, Motherwell were 2-1 up only to capitulate thanks to a rare defensive lapse.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026

Some of Silverstein’s critics accused him of using frivolous lawsuits as a delaying tactic, forcing real estate developers to capitulate or risk huge financial losses.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2025

Hence, our daily lives were so bound up with trivial objectives that to capitulate when challenged was tantamount to surrendering the right to life itself.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

Related Words

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