Words / C2

k-uh-PICH-ul-ayt/kəˈpɪtʃʊleɪt/

To capitulate is to cease to resist, to surrender, often after terms: capitulate to pressure, refuse to capitulate. To surrender (already in the dictionary) is everyday stop-fighting; to concede (already in the dictionary) is to admit, often unwillingly, and to submit (already in the dictionary) is to hand in, or to yield to authority. Recalcitrant (already in the dictionary) is stubbornly uncooperative — the opposite flavour. A ranking film is not a reason to drop the n.

Meaning

To cease to resist; to surrender, often after terms.

Examples

• “Do not capitulate on the n because the ranking film is due.”
• “To surrender is to stop fighting (already in B2). To concede is to admit unwillingly (already in B2). To submit is to hand in or yield (already in C1). Recalcitrant is stubbornly uncooperative (already in C2) — the contrast. A dated figure can still prop a paper. A motto that never states the cell is decoration. Write the number; then the campaign.”

Good to know

Surrender; give in. Everyday: surrender / give in (already in this dictionary). Close: concede / submit (already in this dictionary). Contrast: recalcitrant (uncooperative — already in C2). A film is not an n.

Near in meaning

surrender, yield, give in, relent

New