succumb

[ suh-kuhm ]

verb (used without object)

1. to give way to superior force; yield:

   to succumb to despair.

   Synonyms: surrender, accede, submit

2. to yield to disease, wounds, old age, etc.; die.

succumb

/ səˈkʌm /

verb

1. to give way in face of the overwhelming force (of) or desire (for)
2. to be fatally overwhelmed (by disease, old age, etc); die (of)

Derived Forms

• sucˈcumber, noun

Other Words From

• suc·cumber noun
• unsuc·cumbing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of succumb¹

First recorded in 1480–90; from Latin succumbere, from suc- suc- + -cumbere (derivative of cubāre “to lie down, recline”); incumbent

Word History and Origins

Origin of succumb¹

C15: from Latin succumbere to be overcome, from sub- + -cumbere from cubāre to lie down

Example Sentences

Trump famously does not drink after watching his brother and others succumb to alcoholism.

From Los Angeles Times

“I understand it to be a buoyant nature when you are possessed. You do succumb to being a conduit for the communication of ancestral knowledge and information.”

From Los Angeles Times

After Jackson’s ‘80s peak, as hip-hop became the dominant commercial force in pop music, he spoke with sadness and insight about how music designed to reflect real-world pain and neglect could also succumb to it. Jones, the founder and chairman of Vibe magazine whose daughter Kidada was engaged to Shakur at the time of his death, and Jones said for “the rest of my life” he’d pursuing peace within Black music.

From Los Angeles Times

I would willingly succumb to them.

From Slate

The play contains a twist that wild horses couldn’t drag out of me, but how convinced you’ll be depends on your willingness to succumb to a plot that has been carefully programmed to ratchet up the dramatic tension.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bow
• break down
• buckle
• capitulate
• cave in
• cease
• defer
• give in
• give way
• go down
• pass away
• perish
• quit
• wilt
• yield