SUCCUMBING Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

succumbing

verb

present participle of succumb

as in submitting

to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control) he finally succumbed and let his wife get rid of his dilapidated easy chair

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in surrendering

to give up and cease resistance (as to a liking, temptation, or habit) refused to succumb to her fears and defiantly walked through the dark cemetery

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as in dying

to stop living the patient lay so still and pale that everyone thought he had succumbed, and then he opened his eyes

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as in falling

to yield to the control or power of enemy forces the doctor worked tirelessly until finally he, too, succumbed to the fever

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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 succumbing These rosy reveries gradually darken as Wilde remembers succumbing to hedonism, deceit, debt, and disgrace. — Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 At the time, despite receiving rave reviews, the Scottish actor was succumbing to complications from AIDS. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026 But rather than succumbing to any one style, Lam developed a unique voice shaped by surrealism, cubism and his heritage as the son of a Chinese immigrant father and a mixed-race mother. — Jane Wooldridge, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026 The movie ends with Bryan successfully getting his package to the scientists working on a cure, but shortly thereafter succumbing to his infection, turning into an increasingly grotesque (though conflicted) monster and killing them all. — Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026 The inherent challenge in making films dealing with progressive illness is not succumbing to an inescapably formulaic structure that can’t help but go with the territory. — Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026 The stone never does talk to Larry, and Dillard ends that story by succumbing to her faith in the nothingness. — Isabel Fattal, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026 He was carried out of the ring on a stretcher; his body finally succumbing to complete exhaustion. — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 The move was the latest sign of the tech giant succumbing to the draw of AI that remains deeply flawed — and the staggering amount of misinformation that comes along with it. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 2 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for succumbing

Verb

Some strategists, anticipating that the committee may raise flags, now try to get ahead of the process by submitting additional documentation, including filmmaker quotes and source materials, to explain why a film belongs in its intended category.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
According to Fleming, some people with anorexia have falsified their image using artificial intelligence or by submitting one of a friend or family member instead.

— Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of submitting

Verb

Dallas got thoroughly embarrassed at home by a winless Buccaneers squad, surrendering 241 rushing yards and making an 0-4 offense look explosive.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, the minivan became shorthand for surrendering to suburban family life.

— Chris Hardesty, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of surrendering

Verb

At the same time, Harris, closer in age to his part than the women, moves and sounds like the old cowboys, with an affecting note of sorrow — the lion dying, and dying with regrets — sounding throughout his performance.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026
Amaya says researchers have already seen evidence of sea birds dying in response to warmer water temperatures along the coast.

— Ava Berger, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of dying

Verb

In 2025, de Leest was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year after conceding 19 goals in 21 games, including six clean sheets.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 17 Oct. 2026
Hollywood executives at a panel featuring UTA, Gold House, Lionsgate and HYBE saw an opening for Asian talent and stories rooted in specific cultures, while conceding that getting projects funded is still a struggle.

— Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of conceding

Verb

In the case of the Dalmore, the new Cigar Malt Signature Reserve Aged 18 Years was aged across a total of five different cask types, yielding a whisky that can be enjoyed on its own as well as sipped with a fine cigar.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
But their fervor ironically winds up being counterproductive, yielding a jumbled tonal mess that feels deadly serious one moment and like parody the next.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of yielding

Verb

The disruption has sent transits through the straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb falling sharply after mostly recovering to their pre-war levels.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
This all comes at a time when supply is falling — and falling faster than demand is recovering.

— Diana Olick, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of falling

Verb

Also bowing is 20th Century Studios’ feature take on Daniel Kraus survival thriller novel Whalefall, with $11M-$12m domestic in 3,000 theaters, and about the same overseas for a $24M WW start on the high end.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
But these four features from Qatar are instead bowing separately as special screenings.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of bowing

Verb

This summer has been a deadly one in Europe, with over 10,000 people perishing in the extreme heat over just a few weeks.

— Morgan Simon, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Julie Chen Moonves shares her thoughts on that wild Big Brother premiere, including Rachel Reilly perishing in a volcano.

— Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 10 July 2026