Vocabulary in context
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Capitulate
To surrender or yield, typically under negotiated terms or conditions.
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Imagine This
When the U.S. army finally captured Berlin, the German capital, Germany was surrendered. The entire population in the capital was starving badly, and they ate rats to survive.
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Sounds Like
kuh-PIT-yoo-layt
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Looks Like
capital
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Remember This
Capitulate comes from Latin capitulus meaning 'little head' or 'chapter,' as in the articles or headings of a treaty. The idea is to yield by agreeing to terms.
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Other Forms
capitulationnoun
capitulatedverb
capitulatingverb
capitulatoryadjective
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Note
Capitulate is typically used with to or under terms (capitulate to someone or capitulate under terms). Do not confuse with recapitulate, which means to summarize.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The besieged city finally capitulated after months of bombardment.
- The smaller company capitulated to the demands of the larger rival to avoid bankruptcy.
Synonyms
surrenderyieldconcedesubmitrenounce
Antonyms
resistopposedefy
Etymology
From Medieval Latin capitulatus, from capitulum meaning 'a little head, heading, clause' (from caput meaning 'head'). The sense evolved to mean drawing up the terms of a treaty and thus surrender under those terms.
Mnemonic
CAP IT U LATE: Think of CAP as 'head' and imagine 'it' being placed under a heading and the terms being signed late in the day—yielding under negotiated terms.
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Precipitous
adjectiveExtremely steep or vertical; also describes something done or occurring very quickly and without careful consideration.
Garbled
adjectiveDistorted or unclear, especially a statement or text whose intended meaning has been corrupted or obscured.
Circumspect
adjectiveCareful to consider all potential consequences and circumstances before acting; wary and prudent.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Surrender
verbTo yield or give up control, possession, or resistance; to submit to someone else's authority or to the outcome.
Concede
verbTo admit that something is true or valid; to yield or grant, especially after negotiation.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
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