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If you're a sucker for etymology, buckle in as we aid in your understanding of succor. This word comes from the Anglo-French noun sucor (or sucors), which essentially had the same meaning as our modern word. Sucor, in turn, comes from the Latin verb succurrere, meaning "to run to the rescue" or "to bring aid." Succurrere is itself a composite of the prefix sub- (meaning "from below") and the verb currere (meaning "to run"). English also has currere to thank for such words as current, currency, courier, and even car.
Examples of succor in a Sentence
Noun
We see it as our duty to give succor to those in need.
Recent Examples on the Web
James D. Zirin, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Sources of succor and disquiet—currents which Winter has ridden in life and art—each female elder is a maternal presence who offers complementary textures to the tapestry Winter has woven from threads of experience and sheer imagination.
—Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
Three or four decades ago, the newspaperman was appealingly raffish—at once a bum who drank too much and a knight-errant who charged unafraid at social injustice, succored the weak, and crossed lances with the powerful and arrogant.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
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Noun
Weaponized prosecutions undermine confidence in the criminal justice system and only lend succor to the cynic.
—James D. Zirin, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Sources of succor and disquiet—currents which Winter has ridden in life and art—each female elder is a maternal presence who offers complementary textures to the tapestry Winter has woven from threads of experience and sheer imagination.
—Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
Over time, however, whatever succor Trump provides to the economy by saying that the war is nearly over is likely to be canceled out by his administration’s vacillation.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
Three or four decades ago, the newspaperman was appealingly raffish—at once a bum who drank too much and a knight-errant who charged unafraid at social injustice, succored the weak, and crossed lances with the powerful and arrogant.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for succor
Cite this Entry
“Succor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/succor. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
succor
1 of 2 noun
suc·cor
ˈsək-ər 
succor
2 of 2 verb
succored; succoring
ˈsək-(ə-)riŋ
: to go to the aid of (one in need or distress) : relieve
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