What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
capitulation
Example
The army's capitulation marked the end of the war. [capitulation: noun]
Example
The company had no choice but to capitulate to the demands of the striking workers. [capitulate: verb]
surrender
Example
The suspect decided to surrender to the police after a long standoff. [surrender: verb]
Example
In the face of overwhelming evidence, the defendant had no choice but to plead guilty and accept surrender. [surrender: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Surrender is more commonly used than capitulation in everyday language. Surrender is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while capitulation is less common and typically used in specific historical or military contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between capitulation and surrender?
While capitulation is associated with a more formal tone, surrender is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
