Apedia

Capitulate Succumb Capitulated November Verb Kuh Pih Chuh Layt Synonyms Yield

Word capitulate
Date November 28, 2020
Type verb
Syllables kuh-PIH-chuh-layt
Etymology Capitulate and its synonyms yield, submit, and succumb all mean to give way to someone or something, but have a few slight differences in emphasis. Yield may apply to any sort or degree of bowing to force, debate, or pleading ("yields too easily in any argument"). Submit suggests surrender, after resistance, to the will or control of another ("the soldiers submitted to their captors"). Succumb imputes weakness and helplessness to the person giving in, or an overwhelming power to the opposition ("succumbing to temptation"). Capitulate stresses the termination of all resistance and may imply either a coming to terms, as with an adversary, or hopelessness before an irresistible opposing force ("team owners capitulated to the demands of the players' union").
Examples "Real estate experts say retailers are increasingly looking to pay rent as a percentage of sales, making it a variable expense on their balance sheets rather than a fixed one.… While there could be some hesitation to strike a deal like this, landlords could end up capitulating to keep a space occupied." — Lauren Thomas, CNBC.com, 24 Sept. 2020

"And remember, Rivera didn't draft Haskins last year. His predecessor, Jay Gruden, didn't want to, either, but capitulated to owner Daniel Snyder." — Steve DeShazo, The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Virginia), 8 Oct. 2020
Definition 1 a : to surrender often after negotiation of terms
b : to cease resisting : acquiesce
2 archaic : parley, negotiate

Tags: wordoftheday::verb

Learn with these flashcards. Click next, previous, or up to navigate to more flashcards for this subject.

Next card: Ulterior adjective situated farther word side november ul-teer-ee-er

Previous card: Hinterland region inland century geographer german word applied

Up to card list: Word of the Day