1
as in submits
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 surrenders
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 dies
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 falls
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 succumbs
The Shakespearean classic focuses on Macbeth, a Scottish general who makes his prophecy of becoming king a reality but then succumbs to madness.
—
Alyson Rodriguez, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
Her sexuality is a source of conflict for her family, and the pressure leads to the painful breakup with her girlfriend, Rosie (Jess Gabor), who succumbs to family expectations.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2025
Live, the band’s cataclysmic volume precludes close observation, and melodic detail succumbs to feedback like dust caught in an exploding star’s stratosphere.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 28 Nov. 2025
Soon after, as Judith starts to recover, Hamnet tragically succumbs to the contagious disease.
—Nathan Smith, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
If someone succumbs to the heat, promptly relocate them to a cool, shaded location.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2025
And when that fish, in turn, succumbs to the claws of a bald eagle, its DDT dense meat becomes a poisonous lunch for an oblivious bird.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
The community's willingness to proactively strengthen its economic foundations today will determine whether crypto fulfills its promise as robust, trusted global infrastructure, or succumbs when faced with inevitable systemic stress.
—Mark R. Weaver, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Alyson Rodriguez, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
Her sexuality is a source of conflict for her family, and the pressure leads to the painful breakup with her girlfriend, Rosie (Jess Gabor), who succumbs to family expectations.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2025
Live, the band’s cataclysmic volume precludes close observation, and melodic detail succumbs to feedback like dust caught in an exploding star’s stratosphere.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 28 Nov. 2025
Soon after, as Judith starts to recover, Hamnet tragically succumbs to the contagious disease.
—Nathan Smith, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
If someone succumbs to the heat, promptly relocate them to a cool, shaded location.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2025
And when that fish, in turn, succumbs to the claws of a bald eagle, its DDT dense meat becomes a poisonous lunch for an oblivious bird.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
The community's willingness to proactively strengthen its economic foundations today will determine whether crypto fulfills its promise as robust, trusted global infrastructure, or succumbs when faced with inevitable systemic stress.
—Mark R. Weaver, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for succumbs
Verb
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Each state or local organization submits salary and travel data to the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts.—
Phoebe Quinton,
AJC.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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If passed, the AI Overwatch Act would revoke existing licenses for such AI chip transfers and impose a temporary ban until the administration submits a national security strategy on AI exports.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Peter then surrenders to Catherine, who demands his explanation for going AWOL.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
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Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby are the secret weapons, and Nora Ephron's script never surrenders to sentimentality.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
USA Today,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The young couple ultimately plans to get married, and Heathcliff – haunted by visions of Catherine – dies.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
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However, Paxton’s opinion specified that requirement only applies in cases where an inmate dies on jail property, as opposed to, for example, in a hospital while still in custody.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Going into Wednesday’s games, the Lakers rank 27th in opposing field goal percentage and 24th in defensive rating, an estimate of the amount of points a team concedes across a 100-possession span.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
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McDermott avoids houseplants for a simple house but concedes that any small, tidy plant that doesn't require much upkeep would be fine.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Starting with cake mix is a clever shortcut that not only speeds up the baking progress, but yields a cookie with an extra supple texture.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
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Research yields conflicting results as to whether creatine increases anabolic hormones.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When night falls over the ship, step into the theater to see a jaw-dropping performance.—
Megan duBois,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
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The State of Texas must pick up on compassionate border security that picks up where the Federal Government falls short.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Every soldier Harry would have saved on a transport during the war perishes too.—
Margaret Heidenry,
Vanity Fair,
24 Dec. 2025
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Factory ships deplete fisheries in a matter of years and an inordinate amount of sea life also perishes in their nets.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Succumbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/succumbs. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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