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 Rip had murdered his stepfather to protect his mother, who succumbed to the abuse by her husband. Christina Dugan Ramirez , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025 Companies succumb to pitfalls such as including identities that invite bias, overloading personas with irrelevant data, or using personas as the default audience framework when other tools (e.g., segmentations) would be a better fit. Forrester, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 Test cricket’s older generation is succumbing to Father Time. Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 Quickly: In Oklahoma City, the Timberwolves succumbed to a masterclass in Thunderology, in which the young juggernauts fell behind early, rebounded, played incessant defense and saw Shai Gilgeous-Alexander work his foul-merchant magic. Chris Branch, New York Times, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for succumb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for succumb
Verb
  • To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
  • There’s a lengthy, awkward, process to get your money back, which includes submitting a claim and waiting for approval.
    Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • The measure has proven durable because its benefits were tangible, and voters seldom surrender benefits.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 2 June 2025
  • The stock surrendered 45% of its market capitalization to close the month at $1.56 a share, making for a company value of $338 million.
    Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • The younger Irsay, who died last week at the age of 65, turned out to be the near opposite of his father.
    Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Anyone unfamiliar with the basic combat rhythm of blocking, dodging, and expended precious stamina for an attack will die repeatedly even from basic groups of foes.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Many economists argue that trade deficits do not matter, and even proponents concede that doing so can cause short-term pain.
    Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025
  • Conte’s side conceded just 27 goals in 38 league games, the strongest defensive record in Serie A and 18 fewer than Inter.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • The majority of models that did get implemented failed to yield cost savings.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • Attorneys for Trump have entered mediation with the Paramount camp, but a recent eight-figure offer from Paramount to settle the case did not yield an agreement.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • Language begins to perish: The same words recur, deadeningly.
    James Parker, The Atlantic, 27 May 2025
  • But keeping the oysters out of the reef during peak feeding season could have caused some to perish, Fiala said.
    Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • The bill went through intense debate in two committees last week as an alliance of blue-state Republicans and fiscal hawks refused to budge.
    Caroline Linton, CBS News, 25 May 2025
  • But conservative hard-liners on the other side of the GOP have been less willing to budge.
    Nik Popli, Time, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Heavy rain is falling across the Kansas City area, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood warning for parts of the metro.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025
  • In May 2022 — three years ago — Caltrans estimated that the project would cost $433 million, meaning that in addition to falling behind schedule, the cost has gone up by about $96 million in that time.
    Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Succumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/succumb. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.

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