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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Yet Guardiola has not made his reputation as one of the greatest coaches in history by succumbing to end-of-season pressure.
—
Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Hind's cousin was later killed in another close-range attack, while Hind died several hours later after succumbing to wounds while waiting for help.
—Alexander Durie, Time, 3 Mar. 2026
An enemy succumbing rapidly under overwhelming firepower.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Her elder two sisters died at 10 and 11; her sister Anne at 29; her ne’er-do-well brother Branwell at 31; and Charlotte at the ripe age of 38—all succumbing to tuberculosis.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
Inside, rather than succumbing to the pull of an open floor plan, Rai leaned into the home’s distinct zones and cozy nooks, which are evocative of another era.
—Linne Halpern, Architectural Digest, 12 Feb. 2026
Refer only vaguely to the events in Minnesota, insert a warning about succumbing to peer pressure and emotional manipulation, and advise women to focus on their families.
—Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Former New York Jets linebacker Darron Lee has been arrested and charged in the murder of his girlfriend, who was found brutalized at a home in Tennessee on Thursday before succumbing to her injuries.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
Former New York Jets linebacker Darron Lee has been arrested and charged in the murder of his girlfriend, who was found brutalized at a home in Tennessee on Thursday before succumbing to her injuries.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Hind's cousin was later killed in another close-range attack, while Hind died several hours later after succumbing to wounds while waiting for help.
—Alexander Durie, Time, 3 Mar. 2026
An enemy succumbing rapidly under overwhelming firepower.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Her elder two sisters died at 10 and 11; her sister Anne at 29; her ne’er-do-well brother Branwell at 31; and Charlotte at the ripe age of 38—all succumbing to tuberculosis.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
Inside, rather than succumbing to the pull of an open floor plan, Rai leaned into the home’s distinct zones and cozy nooks, which are evocative of another era.
—Linne Halpern, Architectural Digest, 12 Feb. 2026
Refer only vaguely to the events in Minnesota, insert a warning about succumbing to peer pressure and emotional manipulation, and advise women to focus on their families.
—Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Former New York Jets linebacker Darron Lee has been arrested and charged in the murder of his girlfriend, who was found brutalized at a home in Tennessee on Thursday before succumbing to her injuries.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
Former New York Jets linebacker Darron Lee has been arrested and charged in the murder of his girlfriend, who was found brutalized at a home in Tennessee on Thursday before succumbing to her injuries.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for succumbing
Verb
-
The deadline for submitting a bid for either of the two properties will be April 30.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
-
That scheme was carried out by submitting false and fraudulent applications for benefits under programs such as the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program and other unemployment insurance programs.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But UConn faltered in the second half, surrendering a 20-4 run and at one point going nearly eight minutes between field goals.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Second- and third-round picks usually only return depth players at the deadline, but Columbus has acquired a legitimate difference-maker with term beyond this season without surrendering a first-round pick or any prospects.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Basically, this mascot is carrying the flag for a quixotic battle to save a dying industry.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
There’s resistance to filmmakers coming in and telling the story of bears dying from climate change, and this trope that Inuit are frustrated by, and rightfully so.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Manager Herve Renard led them to an incredible victory over favourites Ivory Coast in the final, despite their opponents not conceding a goal during the entire tournament (Zambia won the trophy on penalties after a 0-0 draw).—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
And if this week has been any indication, the players may be closer to conceding ground than owners.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The pension pools, apart from serving as a great source of capital that can be deployed in corporate bonds, infrastructure projects and other higher-yielding assets such as private credit, also generate recurring management and performance fees, making the buyout particularly lucrative.—
Leonard Kehnscherper,
Bloomberg,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Online savings accounts are often one of the highest-yielding cash options; credit unions also frequently offer decent yields.—
Christine Benz,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Last week, the Washington State Department of Health halted the recreational and commercial harvest of clams, oysters and mussels in Drayton Harbor after receiving multiple reports of people falling ill after consuming raw shellfish from the area.—
Jasmine Mendez
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
In the meantime, racecourse attendances remain below pre-pandemic levels and the industry’s costs are rising, while betting revenue is falling.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The company has previously rejected the court’s ruling and the Chinese government has accused Panama’s government of bowing to United States pressure.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
And there was certainly no sign any of the gubernatorial candidates plan to give up, bowing to concerns their large number could divide the Democratic vote and allow a pair of Republicans to slip through and emerge from California’s top-two primary.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Celebrate steady financial progress rather than perishing in pursuit of perfection.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Those who didn’t die onboard eventually tried to walk to across the frozen waters to mainland Canada, perishing on their journey.—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Succumbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/succumbing. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
