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noun

capitulation

kuh-pit-yuh-LAY-shun
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Capitulation (noun) means the act of stopping resistance and accepting the demands of an opponent. Example: “The union's capitulation ended the strike after eleven weeks.”

noun
1
The act of stopping resistance and accepting the demands of an opponent.
"The union's capitulation ended the strike after eleven weeks."
"Critics called the compromise a capitulation to the loudest lobbyists."
2
military The formal surrender of an army, city or fortress, usually on agreed terms.
"The garrison's capitulation was signed at dawn."
"Terms of capitulation allowed the defenders to march out with their weapons."
3
finance A phase in which investors give up and sell heavily, driving prices sharply lower before a market bottoms out.
"Traders were watching for signs of capitulation before buying back in."
"Volume spiked in what looked like a classic capitulation."

How to use capitulation

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGiving in and accepting what the other side wants.

When to use it

Usually critical in political writing, implying the surrender was avoidable; neutral in military and financial contexts.

Memory tip

Capitulation is followed by to, not before: capitulation to pressure.

Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
recapitulation → capitulate → capitalisation
Common pairings
complete capitulation capitulation to terms of capitulation market capitulation an abject capitulation
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The union's _____ ended the strike after eleven weeks.

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.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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surrender submission yielding climbdown concession laying down of arms fall

Antonyms

resistance defiance

Related words

come death light summer fall lower increase drop

Rhymes for capitulation

region cation ablation allusion emulsion ideation novation diffusion elocution extension oxidation perfusion
See all rhymes for 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.
What is the meaning of capitulation?
"capitulation" (noun) means the act of stopping resistance and accepting the demands of an opponent.

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