To capitulate means to:

To capitulate means to agree to conditions and surrender. This term is often used in contexts where one party, often in a conflict, concedes defeat and accepts the stipulations or terms set by the opposing side. The essence of capitulation involves yielding or giving up in a way that recognizes the authority or demands of the other party.

The concept is rooted in situations such as military conflicts, where one side may capitulate by laying down arms and acknowledging the victory of the other side. It can also apply in negotiations or discussions where a party ultimately agrees to the terms proposed by another party after a period of resistance or negotiation.

In this context, options that suggest refusal to negotiate, struggling against an opponent, or maintaining a firm stance directly contrast with the definition of capitulation, which entails acceptance and yielding rather than resistance or firmness.