capitulationism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Political
Quick answer
What does “capitulationism” mean?
The policy or attitude of giving in to demands or surrendering, especially as a political strategy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The policy or attitude of giving in to demands or surrendering, especially as a political strategy.
In political contexts, especially Marxism-Leninism, it refers to excessive willingness to compromise with opponents, seen as ideological surrender; can also describe any strategy advocating conciliation or submission when resistance is expected.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or definition differences. Usage is more frequent in British political discourse due to historical socialist/Marxist terminology.
Connotations
Strongly negative in both varieties, implying spineless surrender.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general language; appears almost exclusively in political theory, history, or polemical writing.
Grammar
How to Use “capitulationism” in a Sentence
[accusation/charge] of capitulationism [against X]capitulationism [in the face of Y]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “capitulationism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was accused of capitulating to the opposition's demands.
- The faction capitulationised under pressure.
American English
- They capitulated to the union's terms.
- The senator was criticised for capitulationising.
adverb
British English
- They acted capitulationistically, which angered the base.
- The proposal was seen as capitulationistically weak.
American English
- He argued capitulationistically for the deal.
- The party moved capitulationistically toward compromise.
adjective
British English
- His capitulationist stance weakened the party's position.
- A capitulationist policy was adopted.
American English
- The capitulationist approach drew fierce backlash.
- They rejected the capitulationist faction.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in political science, history, and critical theory to label perceived ideological surrender.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would sound overly formal or niche.
Technical
Term of art in Marxist-Leninist polemics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “capitulationism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “capitulationism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “capitulationism”
- Misspelling as 'capitulism' or 'capitualtionism'.
- Using it to mean simple surrender in a non-political context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency term used almost exclusively in political theory, historical analysis, and ideological polemics.
'Capitulation' is the act of surrendering or giving up. '-ism' turns it into a doctrine, policy, or habitual tendency toward such surrender.
Extremely rarely. It is almost always a pejorative label applied by critics to a policy they see as weak or betraying core principles.
Mainly in texts about political history (e.g., debates within socialist/communist movements), academic political science, or highly charged political commentary.
The policy or attitude of giving in to demands or surrendering, especially as a political strategy.
Capitulationism is usually formal, academic, political in register.
Capitulationism: in British English it is pronounced /kəˌpɪtʃʊˈleɪʃənɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˌpɪtʃəˈleɪʃənɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms directly associated. Related concept: 'bending the knee'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CAPITULate' + 'ISM' = the 'ism' or doctrine of capitulating (surrendering).
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICAL STRUGGLE IS WAR (surrender in this war is capitulationism).
Practice
Quiz
In Marxist discourse, 'capitulationism' primarily implies: