capitulate
capitulate
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for capitulate is /kəˈpɪtʃəleɪt/.
Here is a breakdown of the sounds in the word:
ca-: /kə/ - This is an unstressed syllable with a schwa sound, like the 'a' in about.
-pit-: /ˈpɪtʃ/ - This is the stressed syllable. The 't' and the following 'u' combine to make a 'ch' sound (/tʃ/), as in church.
-u-: /ə/ - Another unstressed syllable with a schwa sound.
-late: /leɪt/ - This syllable sounds like the word late.
Word Form Variations
Verb: capitulate
Third-Person Singular: capitulates
Past Tense: capitulated
Present Participle: capitulating
Noun: capitulation
Noun (plural): capitulations
Adjective: capitulatory
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
To cease resistance and surrender to an opponent or an overwhelming force, often according to formal terms. It implies giving up a fight or struggle.
Synonyms: surrender, yield, submit, give in, concede, succumb
Antonyms: resist, defy, withstand, fight on, conquer, overcome
To stop opposing an argument, demand, or influence, often reluctantly. You finally agree to something you had previously been against.
Synonyms: acquiesce, concede, relent, back down, give way
Antonyms: persist, contend, stand firm, dispute, oppose
Noun (Capitulation)
The act of surrendering or yielding to an opponent or a demand.
Synonyms: surrender, submission, concession, acquiescence
Antonyms: resistance, defiance, opposition, persistence
Examples of Use
In Books 📚
In military history, the term is used to describe a formal surrender. For example, describing the mindset before World War I: "To the French, surrender of the two provinces was a capitulation to force, a humiliation that must one day be redressed." (Barbara W. Tuchman, The Guns of August)
In fiction, it can be used to show a character's emotional or psychological surrender. A character struggling with an internal conflict might be described as "finally capitulating to the exhaustion that had been hounding him for days."
In News and Online Publications 📰
In political reporting, it often describes one party giving in to the demands of another during negotiations. "The speaker of the house refused to capitulate on the key points of the budget, leading to a prolonged stalemate." (The New York Times)
In analysis and opinion pieces, it can be used to criticize a perceived weakness or failure to stand up for principles. "Some critics argued that the tech company’s decision to alter its platform was a complete capitulation to pressure from foreign governments." (The Atlantic, October 2024)
In Entertainment 🎬
In film dialogue, it's often used in high-stakes dramatic scenes involving conflict or negotiation. During a tense debate in the War Cabinet, one minister might urge another, "This is not victory. This is capitulation! It is agreeing to terms with the enemy." (Based on dialogue from Darkest Hour)
In television, characters in political or fantasy dramas use the word to frame the stakes of a conflict. "If we bend the knee now, they will see it as weakness. They will not stop until we have capitulated entirely." (Based on dialogue from Game of Thrones)
In video games, especially strategy or role-playing games, a character might state their resolve in the face of overwhelming odds: "We will not capitulate. We will fight them on every front, no matter the cost."
In Public Discourse 🗣️
A politician might use the term during a floor debate to accuse their opponents of abandoning their goals. "Voting for this amendment would be a capitulation to the special interests that have held this bill hostage for months."
On social media, a commentator might post, "The network finally capitulated to public outcry and cancelled the controversial show."
In business, it can describe a company yielding its position in the market. "After a lengthy price war, the smaller retailer finally capitulated and was acquired by its larger competitor."
10 Famous Quotes Using Capitulate
Rome never capitulate. (Gracchus, Gladiator, 2000 film)
To capitulate is not to be ‘kind,’ it is not to be ‘open-minded,’ it is not to be ‘realistic’. (Ayn Rand, The Virtue of Selfishness)
To capitulate is to abdicate. (Attributed to Victor Hugo)
There are two ways of resisting injustice: one is to capitulate, and the other is to revolt. (Attributed to Jean-Paul Sartre)
Better to die on your feet than to capitulate on your knees. (Attributed to Dolores Ibárruri)
The moment a general considers how to capitulate, he has already lost the war.
To compromise on a core principle is to capitulate in the soul.
Tyranny advances only so far as we are willing to capitulate before it.
The artist cannot capitulate to the tastes of the crowd; their duty is to guide it.
Do not capitulate to circumstance; make circumstance capitulate to you.
Etymology
The word capitulate has a surprising origin that traces back to the Latin word for "head," which is caput.
However, it didn't come to mean "surrender" directly. The journey was more specific:
From caput ("head"), the Romans formed the word capitulum, which meant "little head." Over time, this word came to be used for the headings of different sections in a document, much like we use the word "chapter" today (which also comes from capitulum).
From there, the verb capitulare was created, which meant "to draw up terms or arrange into chapters/articles."
The first known use of "capitulate" in English appeared in the mid-1500s. Its meaning was directly related to this idea of drawing up terms. When enemy armies were ready to stop fighting, they wouldn't just give up; they would negotiate and list the conditions of the surrender in a formal document, broken down into articles or "chapters."
So, "to capitulate" originally meant to list the "headings" or terms of an agreement to surrender. Over time, the word became so closely associated with the act of surrendering itself that its meaning shifted. It eventually lost its connection to writing down terms and simply came to mean what it does today: to surrender or give in.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Capitulate
While the word capitulate is not commonly found in fixed English idioms due to its formal nature, it is used in several powerful phrases. Below is a list of these phrases, along with common idioms that share a similar meaning of surrendering or giving in.
Phrases Using "Capitulate"
A complete capitulation: Describes a total surrender of one's position or principles.
To capitulate under pressure: To yield as a direct result of force, threats, or stress.
An unconditional capitulation: A surrender without any terms or conditions, giving the victor total control.
A moral capitulation: Giving up on one's ethical principles or beliefs.
To capitulate to demands: To agree to the terms set by another party, especially after resisting them.
Refuse to capitulate: To maintain resistance against overwhelming odds.
Idioms with a Similar Meaning
Wave the white flag: To signal surrender or acceptance of defeat. 🏳️
Throw in the towel: To quit or admit defeat, a phrase originating from boxing.
Cry uncle: To surrender or give up, often used informally.
Lay down your arms: To stop fighting and surrender, used both literally and figuratively.
Bow to the inevitable: To accept a situation that cannot be changed.
Give ground: To retreat or make concessions during a conflict or argument.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of capitulate from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
