1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of succumbing
The man was pronounced dead at the hospital after succumbing to his injuries, according to police.
—
Kelsey Brown, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Jan. 2026
After temporarily succumbing to one of his deeply seductive illusions, the Big Other urges him to stop dreaming.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025
Your future self will thank you for pausing, budgeting, and deciding whether an item truly adds value or is simply succumbing to social pressure.
—Essence, 15 Dec. 2025
Rogers fought for his life for more than a week before succumbing to his injuries.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
In the eighteen months since nearly succumbing to Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) is still in a coma.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2025
On the contrary, most who live into their 90s and beyond do so without succumbing to dementia.
—Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Nov. 2025
There seemed to be an element of sadomasochistic play in their relationship, of withholding and succumbing, that contravenes the popular sense of an unremitting dominant-submissive dynamic.
—Daphne Merkin, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
To the public eye, this might look like scientists are succumbing to groupthink and an unreasonable resistance to any new ideas.
—Big Think, 30 Oct. 2025
Kelsey Brown, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Jan. 2026
After temporarily succumbing to one of his deeply seductive illusions, the Big Other urges him to stop dreaming.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025
Your future self will thank you for pausing, budgeting, and deciding whether an item truly adds value or is simply succumbing to social pressure.
—Essence, 15 Dec. 2025
Rogers fought for his life for more than a week before succumbing to his injuries.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
In the eighteen months since nearly succumbing to Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) is still in a coma.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2025
On the contrary, most who live into their 90s and beyond do so without succumbing to dementia.
—Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Nov. 2025
There seemed to be an element of sadomasochistic play in their relationship, of withholding and succumbing, that contravenes the popular sense of an unremitting dominant-submissive dynamic.
—Daphne Merkin, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
To the public eye, this might look like scientists are succumbing to groupthink and an unreasonable resistance to any new ideas.
—Big Think, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for succumbing
Verb
-
In testimony Wednesday morning, Jaquez Lewis admitted to submitting the letters in the name of her former aides.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The Oprah Winfrey Show aired through 2011, winning so many Daytime Emmy Awards that Winfrey decided to stop submitting herself and the show for consideration.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Lee was arrested after surrendering to authorities in December 2021.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
-
One week earlier, Campbell had issues containing Chargers rushers, surrendering a sack and five pressures in the wild-card round.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The story follows an estranged son who returns to his remote village to care for his dying father, only to uncover that his bloodline is bound by an old pact with a demonic Djinn.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
-
In fact, those who receive a whole-body radiation dose equal to 4 grays, have a 50% chance of dying within 60 days if untreated.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Ullmark last played for the Senators on December 27 and was pulled in the second period after conceding four goals in 14 shots against the Toronto Maple Leafs.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Matthew Potts, who endured a torrid return to the Test arena on Monday, conceding 58 runs in seven overs, saw his first three balls of the day struck for four.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The potential of the COVID virus to affect future generations is yielding new findings as well.—
Stephanie Armour,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are yielding apparent signs of progress, but major challenges remain on the path to a final settlement, a senior Kremlin official said Monday.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But absent any concerning signs that the labor market is falling a cliff, the Fed will also likely turn to inflation data for the cue on when to lower rates again.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
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But their story appears to be falling apart.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Heated Rivalry also makes a splash on the latest Top TV Songs list, bowing with three tunes in the top six.—
Kevin Rutherford,
Billboard,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Congress needs to stop bowing to the king and serve the people they were elected to represent.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The goo stops them from perishing, and the two embrace in a hug.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
26 Dec. 2025
-
Many researchers also hypothesize that aviation trailblazer Earhart did not crash her plane at sea, but instead landed and was stranded on Nikumaroro Island, later perishing there.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Succumbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/succumbing. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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