a2zfilmynews.com 204.Capitulate: Meaning, Examples & How to Use It

Whether you’re a student, content creator, or vocabulary enthusiast, learning advanced words like “capitulate” can elevate your communication skills dramatically. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore every angle of the word “capitulate” — from meaning and pronunciation to real-life usage and origin.

📖 What Does “Capitulate” Mean?

Capitulate is a verb that means:

To stop resisting an opponent or unwelcome demand; to surrender.

It often implies a formal or reluctant surrender, whether in war, negotiation, or personal situations.

📚 Example Sentence:

After weeks of protest, the workers finally capitulated to the new company policy.
The army capitulated after being surrounded for days.

🔊 Pronunciation of “Capitulate”

Phonetic Spelling: /kəˈpɪtʃuˌleɪt/

👂 How to Pronounce:

IPA: /kəˈpɪtʃuˌleɪt/
Audio Tip: The emphasis is on the second syllable: pi.
Sounds like: kuh-PITCH-uh-late

🧬 Origin and Etymology

The word capitulate comes from the Late Latin “capitulare”, meaning “to draw up in chapters.” It originally referred to drawing up terms of surrender in writing — one chapter (or point) at a time.

Latin root: capitulum (meaning “head” or “chapter”)
First usage: 16th century

✍️ Examples of “Capitulate” in Sentences

Here are several real-world examples across different contexts:

💼 Business

The startup capitulated to investor demands and sold majority ownership.

🧑‍⚖️ Legal

Under mounting evidence, the defendant capitulated and accepted a plea deal.

🪖 Historical

The fortress capitulated after a 30-day siege during the war.

💔 Relationships

After arguing for hours, he finally capitulated and agreed to apologize.

🟰 Synonyms and Antonyms

✅ Synonyms for Capitulate:

Surrender
Yield
Submit
Concede
Succumb
Give in
Relent

❌ Antonyms for Capitulate:

Resist
Defy
Withstand
Fight back
Hold out

🧩 Difference Between Capitulate, Surrender, and Submit

Term	Context	Emotional Tone	Example
Capitulate	Formal/official	Resigned or reluctant	The city capitulated after bombardment.
Surrender	Military/literal	Neutral/forced	He surrendered his weapon.
Submit	Broad use	Obedient/passive	She submitted to her teacher’s authority.

📷 Image Prompt:
A comparison table styled like a glossary with three columns: Word | Definition | Example.

💬 Common Phrases with “Capitulate”

Capitulate under pressure – to give in due to stress or force
Capitulate to demands – to agree after negotiation
Capitulate completely – to fully surrender
Capitulate without resistance – surrendering easily

🧠 How to Remember the Word “Capitulate”

💡 Memory Tip:
Think of “capitulate” as “raising the white flag.” When you capitulate, you’re done fighting — you give in.

Or break it into:
Cap-it-u-late → “Put a cap on it late” → End the resistance late in the game.

✍️ How to Use Capitulate in Writing and Speech

📘 In Essays

“The opposition eventually capitulated to the central government’s reforms.”

🗣️ In Speeches

“We must not capitulate to fear but rise above it.”

💬 In Everyday Use

“I didn’t want to go, but I capitulated after she insisted.”

🎓 Why You Should Learn Words Like “Capitulate”

Enhances academic and professional writing
Boosts communication precision
Impresses in debates or interviews
Expands vocabulary depth for exams like IELTS, GRE, TOEFL

🌍 “Capitulate” in Different Languages

Language	Translation
Hindi	आत्मसमर्पण करना
Spanish	Capitular
French	Capituler
German	Kapitulieren
Odia	ଆତ୍ମସମର୍ପଣ କରିବା

🔗 Trusted Resources for Vocabulary Learners

Here are some reliable sources for checking word usage and meaning:

🎯 Quiz: Test Your Understanding of “Capitulate”

1. Which sentence correctly uses “capitulate”?
a) I capitulated the groceries from the store.
b) The manager capitulated under pressure. ✅
c) She capitulated the dinner.
d) Capitulate means to celebrate.

2. Which is a synonym of Capitulate?
a) Withstand
b) Surrender ✅
c) Resist
d) Rejoice

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Response 2