to give in; to surrender under certain terms. Paul, losing 19-0 in a ping-pong match against his nimble friend, basically capitulated when he played the last two points with his eyes closed. cease to resist an opponent or an unwelcome demand; yield. syn-- surrender, yield, succumb, submit,crumble,relent, accede,fall. Examples of Capitulate in a sentence After seeing himself on the news, the escaped convict decided to capitulate to avoid being shot by a police officer. I will not capitulate on this deal unless I receive the stock options I have requested! If Henry does not capitulate and turn himself in to authorities, he will spend the rest of his life running. I never thought my brother would capitulate and allow me to drive his car for a week.