1
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of capitulate
In the wake of news that the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner was capitulating to the new regime and nixing its traditional roast, Nwodim used the show to pitch an alternative.
—
Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025
One scene from the play focuses on a conversation between More and his daughter, Elizabeth Roper, who argued valiantly for More to save his life by capitulating to Henry VIII.
—Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
As a general rule, companies that followed legal advice not to capitulate to DEI attacks saw higher reputation scores in 2025.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
Trump and his advisers seem to believe that, despite the country’s allegedly parlous condition, unilateral action on Washington’s part can still force others to capitulate and submit to American terms.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for capitulate
Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025
One scene from the play focuses on a conversation between More and his daughter, Elizabeth Roper, who argued valiantly for More to save his life by capitulating to Henry VIII.
—Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
As a general rule, companies that followed legal advice not to capitulate to DEI attacks saw higher reputation scores in 2025.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
Trump and his advisers seem to believe that, despite the country’s allegedly parlous condition, unilateral action on Washington’s part can still force others to capitulate and submit to American terms.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for capitulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capitulate
Verb
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In a moment that is almost cliché, the lawyer is the first to succumb to the terror of the T-Rex.—
Blake D. Morant,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Some leaders recently have succumbed to such efforts and paid the piper, while others have resisted.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
Octavia Graham, 52, surrendered herself to authorities June 30 following a warrant for her arrest.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 July 2025
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But during a nearly two-hour standoff, Rendon kept leaving and re-entering the house and ignored deputies’ demands to surrender, according to the district attorney.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 July 2025
Verb
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After nearly three years of discussion and refinement, plans have been submitted to the city of San Diego for a pair of monument signs to mark La Jolla’s Bird Rock area.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 July 2025
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The brewery opted not to submit any beers to the State Fair’s competition, according to the log of entries.—
Jack Rodriquez-Vars
July 13,
Sacbee.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
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In their five World Cup matches, the Netherlands conceded only two goals with Spitse on the pitch.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
5 July 2025
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To get to a supermajority on partial overrides, the four members conceded on some of Gloria’s vetoes, such as elimination of $250,000 for a homeless outreach team.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Capitulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capitulate. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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