Capitulate: meaning, definitions and examples

🏳️

Add to dictionary

capitulate

[ kəˈpɪtjʊleɪt ]

^{Context #1}

surrender

To surrender under agreed conditions. To give up resistance.

Synonyms

concede, submit, surrender, yield

Examples of usage

The enemy forces were forced to capitulate after a long siege.
The rebels decided to capitulate rather than face further bloodshed.

^{Context #2}

admit defeat

To admit that one has lost in a contest or struggle. To acknowledge that the opponent has won.

Synonyms

acknowledge defeat, concede, surrender, yield

Examples of usage

The team finally capitulated to the superior skills of their opponents.
After hours of debate, he had to capitulate and accept the decision of the majority.

^{Context #3}

give in

To give in to pressure or demands. To yield to someone else's wishes.

Synonyms

accede, concede, surrender, yield

Examples of usage

She refused to capitulate to their demands for a pay cut.
Despite her initial resistance, she eventually capitulated and agreed to the compromise.

Translations

Translations of the word "capitulate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 capitular

🇮🇳 आत्मसमर्पण करना

🇩🇪 kapitulieren

🇮🇩 menyerah

🇺🇦 капітуляція

🇵🇱 kapitulować

🇯🇵 降伏する (こうふくする)

🇫🇷 capituler

🇪🇸 capitular

🇹🇷 teslim olmak

🇰🇷 항복하다 (hangbokhada)

🇸🇦 يستسلم

🇨🇿 kapitulovat

🇸🇰 kapitulovať

🇨🇳 投降 (tóuxiáng)

🇸🇮 kapitulirati

🇮🇸 gefast

🇰🇿 берілу

🇬🇪 კაპიტულაცია

🇦🇿 təslim olmaq

🇲🇽 capitular

Word origin

The word 'capitulate' originated from the Latin word 'capitulatus', which means 'brought to a head' or 'concluded'. It first appeared in English in the mid-16th century. The term was originally used in a military context to refer to the act of surrendering or yielding under agreed conditions. Over time, 'capitulate' has come to be used more broadly to indicate giving in, admitting defeat, or surrendering in various contexts.