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 The band’s story ended abruptly in 1996 when Bradley succumbed to addiction while on tour. Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025 Things were so bad and so out of control that Baker succumbed to pressure and removed the only Confederate Civil War memorial in Massachusetts. Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025 And when that fish, in turn, succumbs to the claws of a bald eagle, its DDT dense meat becomes a poisonous lunch for an oblivious bird. Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025 City succumbed too meekly given their spine included Ruben Dias, John Stones, Rodri and Haaland at the end of the match. Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for succumb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for succumb
Verb
  • Kave submitted a letter about the layoffs to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles last Thursday.
    Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • François Bayrou submitted his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, who accepted it.
    Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But on a day when Mizzou amassed 595 total yards, converted 4 of 5 fourth downs and got an excellent effort from first-year starting quarterback Beau Pribula, surrendering possession had to fill Kansas followers with a sense of dread.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
  • After allowing 18 chunk plays against Appalachian State, Charlotte surrendered just eight on Saturday night.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Good Fortune follows Reeves as an angel, Gabriel, tasked by his boss, Martha (Sandra Oh), with stopping humans from dying while texting and driving.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The fact that babies and toddlers continue to die from ingesting fentanyl will likely come up in a meeting next month.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Executives concede that Toronto isn’t attracting the kind of wall-to-wall media attention that Cannes and Venice deliver.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Baker ended up with the worst figures for an English debutant, conceding 76 runs from seven overs.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For the moment, various brainstorming and armchair analyses are yielding some interesting and potentially useful insights worthy of further exploration.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The findings even suggest that modest design modifications can yield substantial benefits, offering engineers flexibility in designing future reactors by balancing performance with engineering complexity.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Sadly, none of her citrus survived, and many of her cattle perished.
    Mandi Wright, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Did the whole book really perish in the flames?
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The leather is strong, the recliner function is smooth, and the frame doesn’t budge.
    Zoë Sessums, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
  • At the same time, the July JOLTS report showed that hires, quits and layoffs didn’t budge much at all.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • National Weather Service meteorologists consider forecasting waterspouts during the late summer and fall whenever large, cool air masses overspread the waters of the Great Lakes.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The Department of Buildings told CBS News New York and News 12 Long Island that a 10-by-10-inch section of the ceiling collapsed due to possible water damage, and pieces of the building fell on customers dining inside.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Succumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/succumb. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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