Sooner or later, everyone gives in. These words tell how: by following a rule, by stepping aside, by softening after saying no, by quietly going along, by surrendering completely, or by bowing far too low.
Key idea
Following a rule or request: comply, accede (agree). Giving way: yield, submit, relent (soften after refusing), succumb (give in to pressure or temptation). Giving something up: concession. Going along: acquiesce (quietly, often unwillingly). Surrendering: capitulate. Too humble: kowtow.
The ten words
Common mistake
accede (agree) is not exceed (go beyond). acquiesce means quiet acceptance, not eager agreement.
| word | how someone gives in | you might hear |
|---|---|---|
| comply | does what is asked | comply with the rules |
| accede | agrees to a request | accede to a demand |
| yield | gives way | yield to traffic |
| submit | gives in to authority | submit to the referee |
| relent | softens after refusing | Mom finally relented |
| succumb | gives in to pressure or temptation | succumb to temptation |
| concession | something given up for a deal | make a concession |
| acquiesce | goes along quietly | acquiesce with a sigh |
| capitulate | surrenders completely | the fort capitulated |
| kowtow | bows too low to the powerful | kowtow to the boss |
Two traps. Accede (agree) is not exceed (go beyond): the council acceded to our request, and the cost did not exceed our budget. And acquiesce means quiet acceptance, often with a sigh, not eager agreement. Notice, too, that kowtow is a criticism: it means being too humble, not simply polite.