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 That’s a victory of sorts in itself: Paul is among the least likely Republicans to succumb to pressure from Trump. Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 6 June 2025 First responders have since found both succumbed to exposure. Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 4 June 2025 The Dodgers hold just a single-game lead in the National League West division as their pitching staff continues to succumb to persistent injuries. Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025 Sadly, Verstappen is not the only multiple-time world champion to succumb to such behavior. ArsTechnica, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for succumb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for succumb
Verb
  • The issue was not mentioned in the official report on the Danish Realm submitted to parliament on February 28, 2024, though threats to Greenland from China and Russia were.
    Morten Høi Jensen, The Dial, 19 June 2025
  • Download the Vogue app and find our Style Advice section to submit your question.
    Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Pickard’s only goal surrendered was the one from Sam Reinhart that tied Game 4 with 19.5 seconds left in regulation to send it to overtime.
    David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2025
  • Like any other member of the public, Ye was required to take off his belt, empty his pockets, and surrender his electronic devices before going through a metal detector.
    Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 13 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
  • Missing, however, was the museum’s founder Joseph Randall Shapiro, who died just days earlier at the age of 91. 2011: Ferocious winds spawned tornadoes that hit Downers Grove and Mount Prospect, but warning sirens in the communities remained silent.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 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
  • Modest improvements to the weakest link usually yield more value than myopic focus on perfecting a single, siloed initiative.
    James Blake, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • On average, a year’s worth of screenings yields nine million positive results—of which 8.8 million are false.
    Siddhartha Mukherjee, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • For salespeople, especially, the rule is adapt or perish.
    Levi King, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • The last time fewer people perished was in 2022, when just three died.
    Ben Ayers, Outside Online, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Indeed, laying in the grass seemed far more desirable for Poppi, who refused to budge.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
  • She’s held back from the summit by I’m the Problem by Morgan Wallen, which refuses to budge.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • Reckoning for three weekends, but the Tom Cruise-starrer fell only 31 percent in its fourth outing to $10.3 million from 2,942 theaters for a domestic tally of $166.3 million.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2025
  • Americans celebrate Flag Day, which falls on Saturday, June 14, in many ways, including parades, ceremonies and educational events designed to encourage respect for the flag and its significance.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 15 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Succumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/succumb. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

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