succor

1 of 2

noun

suc·​cor ˈsə-kər How to pronounce succor (audio)
1
: relief
also : aid, help
2
: something that furnishes relief

succor

2 of 2

verb

succored; succoring ˈsə-k(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce succor (audio)

transitive verb

: to go to the aid of : relieve
succorer noun

Did you know?

If you're in need of an explanation of the origins of "succor," we can help. Middle English speakers adapted "socour," the predecessor of "succor," from the Anglo-French sucors, which essentially had the same meaning as our modern word. "Sucors," in turn, derives from the Medieval Latin succursus, itself a derivative of the Latin verb succurrere, meaning "to run to the rescue or "to bring aid." That Latin verb was a composite of the prefix sub- (meaning "from below") and the verb "currere" (meaning "to run"). "Succor" has been saving the day in English (as both a noun and a verb) since at least the 13th century.

Examples of succor in a Sentence

Noun We see it as our duty to give succor to those in need.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
But, where much of today’s trendy work is self-involved, Brown’s dances bring succor to the audience. The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2024 Drones, artillery ammunition, and ballistic missiles provided by Tehran and Pyongyang—along with economic succor provided by Beijing—have sustained Moscow in its conflict against Kyiv and its Western backers. Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 26 Jan. 2024 In one drawing in the show, a hand is reaching down to lift another up, in a gesture of welcoming, of succor, of assistance. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 25 Jan. 2024 The stark reality is that the country has no viable alternative to the succor of the United States. Shalom Lipner, Foreign Affairs, 29 Dec. 2023 The Death Star succors, energizes, feeds, clothes, medicates, houses, warms, and cools us with its throbbing complexity—woe to the planets in the way of its progress. Christopher Ketcham, Harper's Magazine, 1 Nov. 2023 As Israeli forces pursue their mission to destroy the militant Hamas movement into the heart of Gaza City, civilians are bearing the brunt and the hospitals that once provided succor are shutting down as communications break down and fuel for generators runs out. Miriam Berger, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2023 In addition to providing spiritual succor to those on strike, many rabbis have also joined the picket line themselves. Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023 This place of succor is an extensive archaeological site now, and there is an ancient theater set right in the middle of it. Teju Cole, New York Times, 12 Sep. 2023
Verb
This is not the stoicism of the blues or the expansive outreach of gospel; these songs speak more of individual succor, playfulness, abandon. Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024 Since 9/11, Pakistan succored the Taliban, offering a haven from U.S. counterterrorism operations and assistance with fundraising and logistics. Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2017 That’s an idea to keep in mind, and perhaps provide succor, during your next marital showdown. Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2024 The Islamist extremist organization received direct support and succor from Pakistan’s military establishment, and various wings of its leadership were allowed sanctuary in Pakistani cities. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2023 The world’s inability or unwillingness to displace an unreconstructed Qaddafi would give succor to a number of groups, including al-Qaeda, that could seize chaos in Libya and North Africa as an opportunity to extend their influence. Dirk Vandewalle, Foreign Affairs, 21 Mar. 2011 Organizations that succored Israel’s powerful pro-democracy movement this year, while also recognized for innovative humanitarian work outside Israel, quickly shifted to helping fellow citizens at a moment of excruciating loss. Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2023 By seeking succor from regulators, Microsoft is acknowledging the limits of AI’s powers as a panacea—a timely warning that the hoards of startups, venture capital firms, and established companies betting huge sums on AI makeovers would do well to take to heart. Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2023 Butterflies whose prairies have been devoured by cornfields find succor in unkempt strips of roadside milkweed. Ben Goldfarb, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'succor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English socour, sucurs (taken as plural), from Anglo-French sucur, sucors, from Medieval Latin succursus, from Latin succurrere to run to the rescue, bring aid, from sub- + currere to run — more at car

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of succor was in the 13th century

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near succor

Cite this Entry

“Succor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/succor. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

succor

1 of 2 noun
suc·​cor ˈsək-ər How to pronounce succor (audio)

succor

2 of 2 verb
succored; succoring ˈsək-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce succor (audio)
: to go to the aid of (one in need or distress) : relieve
succorer noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!