Capitulate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🏳️

Add to dictionary

capitulate

[kəˈpɪtjʊleɪt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

surrender

To surrender under agreed conditions. To give up resistance.

Synonyms

concede, submit, surrender, yield.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
capitulate	Used when someone gives in to demands or pressure, especially after a long struggle or when the situation seems hopeless. After weeks of negotiations, the company finally capitulated to the union's demands
surrender	Often used in a military or competitive context indicating giving up or laying down arms. Can also imply giving up control or possession. The general ordered his troops to surrender after they were surrounded She surrendered her driver's license after the accident
yield	Implies giving way under pressure or influence, often in situations involving competition, traffic, or personal decisions. He had to yield to his opponent's superior skill Drivers must yield to pedestrians at the crosswalk
concede	Commonly used in formal contexts to admit defeat or to acknowledge something as true after initially denying or resisting it. After seeing the evidence, he had to concede that he was wrong The politician conceded defeat after the election results were announced
submit	Used to indicate yielding to authority, rules, or a formal process. Often implies willingness or obligation to comply with regulations or higher power. All employees must submit their reports by Friday He finally decided to submit to the company's new policies

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 | Verb}

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
capitulate	This word is often used in formal or historical contexts, usually implying a more structured or official surrender, often after negotiation. After weeks of resistance, the city finally decided to capitulate to the invading forces
surrender	Often used in military, conflict, or personal struggle contexts, suggesting giving up control or power to another force. It can carry a formal or informal tone and sometimes has a negative connotation. The army had no choice but to surrender to the overwhelming enemy forces
concede	Frequently used in competitive, sports, or political contexts, usually implying accepting loss with reluctance but dignity. Despite the close match, he decided to concede defeat with grace
yield	This word is versatile but often used in negotiations, confrontations, or situations where one gives way to another's demand or superior power. It can be neutral or slightly negative in tone. After long negotiations, the company decided to yield to the union's demands
acknowledge defeat	Generally used in a general or informal context, this phrase is often used in competitive settings to express admitting loss or failure. After the final rounds, she had no choice but to acknowledge defeat

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 | Verb}

give in

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

Synonyms

accede, concede, surrender, yield.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
capitulate	This word is often used when talking about giving up after some form of negotiation or conflict, often with a sense of finality and acceptance of defeat. After a long siege, the city finally capitulated to the invading forces When negotiations failed, the company had no choice but to capitulate to the union's demands
yield	Used in both formal and informal settings, implying giving way to pressure, force, or arguments. It can also mean to produce or provide results. She refused to yield to her opponent's demands The field is expected to yield a good harvest this year
surrender	This word is typically used in the context of giving up in a conflict or battle, often with a connotation of complete defeat. The soldiers were ordered to surrender unconditionally Faced with overwhelming odds, the rebels decided to surrender
accede	This word is usually used in formal or official contexts, particularly when someone agrees to a request or accepts a position of power. After much pressure, the CEO acceded to the board's request for a meeting She acceded to the throne after her father's death
concede	Often used in situations where someone admits defeat or acknowledges something unwillingly, possibly after some resistance. After hours of debate, he finally conceded that he might be wrong The politician conceded the election after it became clear she could not win

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

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Context

Capitulation often appears in military history, where armies or leaders agree to cease fighting under certain conditions.
During World War II, the term was commonly used to describe the surrender of key cities like Paris.
The Capitulation of Quebec in 1759 was a significant moment in the Seven Years' War, highlighting the strategic importance of surrender.

Psychology

Research shows that capitulating can be influenced by stress—when overwhelmed, people may choose to give in rather than continue fighting.
The act of capitulating can be tied to cognitive dissonance, where conflicting beliefs lead one to surrender to maintain peace.
Psychologists often explore how capitulation affects self-esteem, as it can be seen as a failure or relief, depending on the situation.

Pop Culture

In film and literature, capitulation often marks pivotal moments where characters must decide whether to fight or surrender, adding drama to the storyline.
The theme of capitulation can be found in movies like 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'Gladiator', showcasing the weight of surrender in battle.
In video games, players may face choices that lead to capitulation, affecting the storyline and character development.

Literature

Many authors use capitulation as a major theme to explore conflict and resolution, reflecting personal struggles through character decisions.
Classic literature often portrays characters who wrestle with the idea of capitulating to societal pressures, highlighting deeper moral dilemmas.
Famous literary works, like George Orwell's '1984', illustrate the psychological aspects of capitulating to authority under oppressive regimes.

Origin of 'capitulate'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'capitulare', meaning 'to draw up in heads or chapters'.
It evolved in the 15th century when it started to mean surrendering terms in a treaty.
The ‘capit-’ part of the word is related to 'head', suggesting a leading agreement or conclusion.

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.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,626, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
26623 mademoiselle
26624 retaken
26625 mafia
26626 capitulate
26627 fishy
26628 unequaled
26629 supplanting
...