capitulation
6 synonyms and 2 antonyms for capitulation, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The act of stopping resistance and accepting the demands of an opponent.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The act of stopping resistance and accepting the demands of an opponent.
“The union's capitulation ended the strike after eleven weeks.”
Opposites
2. noun military
The formal surrender of an army, city or fortress, usually on agreed terms.
“The garrison's capitulation was signed at dawn.”
How to use capitulation
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Usually critical in political writing, implying the surrender was avoidable; neutral in military and financial contexts.
Etymology
Via French from medieval Latin capitulare, to draw up under headings, from capitulum a little head or chapter; surrender terms were originally set out heading by heading.
Full origin of capitulation →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between capitulation and surrender?
They overlap, but capitulation stresses that the surrender was negotiated on stated terms and that resistance had already collapsed. Surrender is the broader, plainer word and can be unconditional.
What does capitulation mean in the stock market?
It describes the point where discouraged investors sell in a rush, accepting losses rather than waiting for recovery. The resulting spike in selling and volume is often read as a sign the bottom is near.
Is capitulation the same as recapitulation?
No. Recapitulation means summarising the main points again, and shares only the Latin root about chapter headings. The two words are not interchangeable.