succumb

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb succumb differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of succumb are capitulate, defer, relent, submit, and yield. While all these words mean "to give way to someone or something that one can no longer resist," succumb implies weakness and helplessness to the one that gives way or an overwhelming power to the opposing force.

a stage actor succumbing to the lure of Hollywood

When could capitulate be used to replace succumb?

Although the words capitulate and succumb have much in common, capitulate stresses the fact of ending all resistance and may imply either a coming to terms (as with an adversary) or hopelessness in the face of an irresistible opposing force.

officials capitulated to the protesters' demands

In what contexts can defer take the place of succumb?

While in some cases nearly identical to succumb, defer implies a voluntary yielding or submitting out of respect or reverence for or deference and affection toward another.

I defer to your expertise in these matters

When is relent a more appropriate choice than succumb?

The words relent and succumb are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, relent implies a yielding through pity or mercy by one who holds the upper hand.

finally relented and let the children stay up late

Where would submit be a reasonable alternative to succumb?

The synonyms submit and succumb are sometimes interchangeable, but submit suggests full surrendering after resistance or conflict to the will or control of another.

a repentant sinner vowing to submit to the will of God

When would yield be a good substitute for succumb?

The meanings of yield and succumb largely overlap; however, yield may apply to any sort or degree of giving way before force, argument, persuasion, or entreaty.

yields too easily in any argument

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of succumb Finally, the Flames, Edmonton’s nemesis, succumbed to the Lightning in 2004 in a brutal double-overtime loss in Game 7. David Close, CNN Money, 17 June 2025 One of them was initially in critical condition before succumbing to his injuries, according to police. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 June 2025 Another Orlando-area football coach has succumbed to the pressure of dealing with the current culture of high school football. Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2025 The explosion in the Lebanese capital, which killed more than 200 people and injured thousands, caused devastation to the building and its owners, with the matriarch of the family, 98-year-old Yvonne Sursock Cochrane, eventually succumbing to her injuries. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for succumb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for succumb
Verb
  • This dual-layer approach ensures accurate judgment when reviewing résumés submitted via AI systems.
    Sherri Reese, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Or a therapist who submits weekly reports for a patient, only to later discover that the patient had been in custody for months.
    William Jones, USA Today, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Left-hander José Castillo surrendered RBI singles to Eli White and Nick Allen.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025
  • Dominic Canzone’s sixth-inning home run was the seventh run Ober gave up, marking the second time in three starts that Ober has surrendered seven runs.
    Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Roberts died at 90 years old in her sleep from natural causes in April 2016.
    Rachel Flynn, People.com, 21 June 2025
  • At some point during our new Gilded Age, as the United States and the world have become more unequal, did Prince Charming die?
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Luckily for Boca, Auckland has conceded an average of eight goals per game in this tournament.
    Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • At the time, the Trump Administration was attempting to negotiate a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, with terms that heavily favored Putin: Ukraine would concede all the territory that Russia had occupied and give up its effort to join NATO.
    Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • One reason the Twins were so down and out was a heinous 17-game stretch by the pitching staff, which yielded nine runs eight times.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • The iShares New York Muni Bond ETF (NYF) is now yielding 2.92%.
    Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was a summer visitor, as was her late son John F. Kennedy Jr., who perished in a plane crash off the coast with his wife Carolyn Bessette and sister-in-law Lauren in 1999.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 27 June 2025
  • Hundreds of Israeli civilians were injured in Iranian attacks, many homes were destroyed, and a few dozen civilians were killed, including five who perished in an Iranian attack on Beersheba minutes before the cease-fire took effect.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • But fiscal hawks aren’t willing to budge an inch, particularly after the Freedom Caucus celebrated victory in securing over $1.5 trillion in spending cuts and moving up the effective deadlines for Medicaid and Inflation Reduction Act energy credits.
    Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2025
  • It’s been days, and that eyeliner hasn’t budged an inch.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Monthly spending has also fallen by almost $20 year-over-year.
    Jon Kirchner, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • When her moment came to walk the red carpet three days later, a radiant Cassie held hands with Combs, her hair styled to fall just over her injured eyebrow and eye.
    Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Succumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/succumb. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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