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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of succumbing
The Spurs got off just three field goal attempts while succumbing to the Knicks’ defensive pressure.
—
Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 4 June 2026
Avoid succumbing to a conspiracy theory or problematic spiritual philosophy as Mercury and Neptune square off.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 3 June 2026
The scene was possibly part of a hallucination that Rue is having, shortly before she’s seen on the show, succumbing to a fatal fentanyl overdose.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 2 June 2026
This is after a local singer was doused with petrol and set on fire, later succumbing to her injuries.
—ABC News, 1 June 2026
Yet succumbing to hubris is now more dangerous than ever.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
They were ejected into all manner of orbits, there to remain for decades before ultimately succumbing to the slow pull of Earth’s gravity at higher altitudes.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026
For example, phone pouches could prevent students from succumbing to the urge to look at their phones.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
For one, the Frenchie vision is just corny and clumsy, and so is the idea of Kimiko harnessing the power of love to defeat the bad guy without succumbing to vengeful rage.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 20 May 2026
Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 4 June 2026
Avoid succumbing to a conspiracy theory or problematic spiritual philosophy as Mercury and Neptune square off.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 3 June 2026
The scene was possibly part of a hallucination that Rue is having, shortly before she’s seen on the show, succumbing to a fatal fentanyl overdose.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 2 June 2026
This is after a local singer was doused with petrol and set on fire, later succumbing to her injuries.
—ABC News, 1 June 2026
Yet succumbing to hubris is now more dangerous than ever.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
They were ejected into all manner of orbits, there to remain for decades before ultimately succumbing to the slow pull of Earth’s gravity at higher altitudes.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026
For example, phone pouches could prevent students from succumbing to the urge to look at their phones.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
For one, the Frenchie vision is just corny and clumsy, and so is the idea of Kimiko harnessing the power of love to defeat the bad guy without succumbing to vengeful rage.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for succumbing
Verb
-
In Miami-Dade, disabled parking permits are obtained by submitting form HSMV 83039, a medical certification, Florida ID, and proof of insurance.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Brian Walshe's probation officer Marlenny Ramdehai testified about the various ways that he was allowed to leave the house, and the process for submitting his schedule to do so.—
Penny Kmitt,
CBS News,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Sirianni, 45, a hypercompetitive hothead who has conspicuously engaged with players (in Eagles and opposing jerseys), coaches (Eagles and opposing), fans (same) and officials, wants to be a mature person who can rein in his emotions, but not at the expense of surrendering his essence.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
Filling this time with meetings (or low-yield tasks) means surrendering the hours best suited for deep work and strategic thinking to reactive demands.—
Cynthia Pong,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
This is the starting point of Earth 7, Deb Olin Unferth’s stellar and sweeping science fiction novel that is part cosmic comedy and part dirge to our dying world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
Carriage driver Nurettin Kirbiyik was giving a ride to two passengers when his 16-year-old horse, Deniz, collapsed with shortness of breath before dying in Central Park, according to CBS New York and ABC7NY.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Spencer Pratt continued his plight to save Los Angeles only days after conceding in the mayoral race against incumbent Karen Bass.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
Novo Nordisk acknowledges the side effects without conceding the label needs to say more.—
Ryan Brennan
June 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
That strategy may be yielding results.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
10 June 2026
-
The veteran right-hander pitched five-plus innings, yielding three runs on six hits.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
With little money and competitive standards falling, players started leaving Ghana earlier than before, and not always to go to Europe.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Video of the incident shows Backs being confronted and falling backward.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Verb
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In March, James posted a photo on social media of him and his Heat teammates bowing their heads while wearing hooded sweatshirts.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
9 June 2026
-
Trae Young won Madison Square Garden’s undying enmity in the 2021 playoffs for the Atlanta Hawks, punctuating game-breaking shots by shushing the crowd or bowing to the fans and waving goodbye.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Singh raised his second straight half-century off just 23 balls with eight fours and a six while Iyer brought up his fifty of 31 balls and smacked Thakur four two consecutive sixes before perishing when Dhir took a stunning catch at deep mid-wicket.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
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If the Tribune cannot find the story in the tragic events of a young, dedicated firefighter perishing in an arson fire while searching for victims to rescue, maybe leave this story for the journalists who managed to treat the victims of this story with dignity.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Succumbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/succumbing. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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