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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
But those in the teetotaling crowd still looking to partake in Power Hour might find some succor in the rise of another high-end bar trend: the nonalcoholic cocktail list. Jane Thier, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2024 Israel has no viable alternative to the succor of the United States. Shalom Lipner, Foreign Affairs, 29 Dec. 2023
Verb
Nor would feeding the world’s hungry or succoring the afflicted. Andrew J. Bacevich, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2023 And reservists and organizations that succored Israel’s powerful pro-democracy movement this year quickly shifted to helping fellow citizens at a moment of excruciating loss. Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for succor 

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 6 Nov. 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
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