Definitions

succumb

[suh-kuhm] / səˈkʌm /

VERB

die or surrender

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

STRONG

accede cave collapse croak decease demise depart drop expire fall fold go knuckle pass submit

WEAK

eat crow fall victim to flake out give in to give out give up the ghost go under knuckle under meet waterloo pack it in show white flag take the count throw in the towel

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continue defend fight

STRONG

ascend deny refuse rise stay

WEAK

conquer overcome win

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

These kinds of commoditized industries tend to succumb to price wars: The lowest-cost producer “wins” by destroying the entire industry’s margins.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

We can all live and work together—or we can succumb to fatalism and a false sense of inevitability.

From Slate • May 28, 2026

But we don’t have to succumb to that pressure.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

He instructed his crew to tie him to the ship’s mast of his ship so that he could listen and yet not succumb.

From MarketWatch • May 2, 2026

On cue, the three older children dashed to their mother’s side, weeping and begging her not to succumb.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Vocabulary lists containing succumb

Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items

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List 3

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"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 1–7

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