Synonyms of succumb

succumb

verb

sə-ˈkəm 

1

as in to submit

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

• submit
• concede
• surrender
• budge
• bow
• capitulate
• yield
• relent
• quit
• blink
• give in
• acquiesce
• throw in the sponge
• say uncle
• knuckle under
• throw in the towel
• defer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resist
• fight
• contend
• meet
• confront
• oppose
• face
• defy
• breast
• combat
• withstand
• object
• counter
• hold off
• repel
• thwart
• battle

2

as in to surrender

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

• submit
• surrender
• yield
• bow
• cave (in)
• indulge
• give in
• gratify
• cater (to)
• wallow
• concede (to)
• acquiesce (to)
• buckle (under)
• knuckle under
• give over (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resist
• meet
• confront
• fight
• oppose
• face
• defy
• withstand
• breast
• combat
• repel
• object
• counter
• thwart
• reject
• hold off
• battle
• check
• restrain
• inhibit
• curb
• stifle
• constrain
• bridle

3

as in to die

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

• die
• perish
• fall
• depart
• disappear
• go
• pass (on)
• expire
• demise
• end
• pass away
• buy it
• fade
• step out
• check out
• exit
• croak
• kick in
• drop
• part
• decease
• snuff it
• buy the farm
• fail
• kick the bucket
• pop off
• peg out
• kick off
• give up the ghost
• bite the dust
• flatline
• conk (out)
• consume
• predecease
• dry up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• live
• come to
• breathe
• revive
• exist
• be
• linger
• thrive
• flourish
• subsist
• prosper

4

as in to capitulate

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

• surrender
• submit
• capitulate
• fall
• collapse
• give up
• give (in)
• knuckle under
• relinquish
• bow
• concede
• buckle
• cave (in)
• lose
• fail
• hand over
• fold

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stand
• endure
• resist
• fight
• withstand
• oppose
• overcome
• win
• defy
• beat
• repel
• prevail
• triumph
• conquer
• buck

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb succumb differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of succumb are capitulate, defer, relent, submit, and yield. While all these words mean "to give way to someone or something that one can no longer resist," succumb implies weakness and helplessness to the one that gives way or an overwhelming power to the opposing force.

a stage actor succumbing to the lure of Hollywood

When could capitulate be used to replace succumb?

Although the words capitulate and succumb have much in common, capitulate stresses the fact of ending all resistance and may imply either a coming to terms (as with an adversary) or hopelessness in the face of an irresistible opposing force.

officials capitulated to the protesters' demands

In what contexts can defer take the place of succumb?

While in some cases nearly identical to succumb, defer implies a voluntary yielding or submitting out of respect or reverence for or deference and affection toward another.

I defer to your expertise in these matters

When is relent a more appropriate choice than succumb?

The words relent and succumb are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, relent implies a yielding through pity or mercy by one who holds the upper hand.

finally relented and let the children stay up late

Where would submit be a reasonable alternative to succumb?

The synonyms submit and succumb are sometimes interchangeable, but submit suggests full surrendering after resistance or conflict to the will or control of another.

a repentant sinner vowing to submit to the will of God

When would yield be a good substitute for succumb?

The meanings of yield and succumb largely overlap; however, yield may apply to any sort or degree of giving way before force, argument, persuasion, or entreaty.

yields too easily in any argument

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of succumb

The 23-year-olds are either succumbing to the pressure with Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek sidelined or completely gassed with how much is being asked of them to provide the scoring for this feeble bunch. —Michael Russo, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025

Madrigal also succumbed to an injury in camp and had season-ending shoulder surgery. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025

The United Kingdom was unable to provide much assistance when German forces invaded Poland in September, and Poland soon succumbed to the Nazi onslaught. —G. John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2025

One of the drivers succumbed to injuries at the scene, while the other was transported to a nearby medical center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. —Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025

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