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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 Engelbert capitulated hours after Thomas, a lightning rod for controversy following her latest violent on-court altercation with Caitlin Clark, cast herself as the victim. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026 After capitulating against the Timberwolves, the Nuggets must take a step back, trade away Cam Johnson and Aaron Gordon, and load up for a three-year run in Jokic’s final sprint starting in 2029. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 1 June 2026 Anger is growing in Kenya over his support for the construction of a US Ebola quarantine facility, with his critics accusing him of capitulating to American interests over those of Kenyan citizens. — semafor.com, 19 June 2026 In parts of Caracas and several interior regions, hardline Chavista groups have publicly denounced the government’s energy agreements with American firms and accused the leadership of capitulating to foreign interests. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for capitulate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for capitulate

Verb

One boy, 12, succumbed to the heat and passed out, with EMS medics and police rushing to help him, according to PIX 11.

— Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026
On Thursday at Wimbledon, a couple of players were unable to do so, succumbing to Nadal’s Law.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of succumb

Verb

In a friendly in Tokyo last October, Brazil surrendered a two-goal halftime lead and watched Japan pull ahead for an eventual 3-2 victory.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
More than 700 dogs remain unaccounted for Investigators have reviewed records showing that 918 dogs had been surrendered and transferred to Miranda’s Rescue from January 2025 to April 2026, Honsal said.

— Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 June 2026

Definition of surrender

Verb

The case will be submitted to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office for review.

— Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Should the Council decline, if Unite NY then submits at least another 15,000 signatures, the matter will go to the ballot.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 July 2026

Definition of submit

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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 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of capitulate

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