SKIP TO CONTENT

capitulate

/kəˌpɪtʃəˈleɪt/
IPA guide

Other forms: capitulated; capitulating; capitulates

To capitulate means to give in to something. If your parents refuse to raise your allowance, you might try to argue until they capitulate. Good luck!

To capitulate is to surrender outright or to give in under certain terms. Either way, you’re agreeing to something you don’t really want. The word comes from the Latin roots caput ("head") and capitulum ("headings"), a reference to the official agreement drawn up when someone formally surrendered.

Definitions of capitulate
  1. verb
    surrender under agreed conditions
    see moresee less
    type of:
    give up, surrender
    give up or agree to forgo to the power or possession of another
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘capitulate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family