verb
succumb
suh-KUHM
verb
1
To give in to something overpowering, such as pressure, temptation, or illness.
"He finally succumbed to temptation and ate the whole cake."
"The old oak tree succumbed to the storm and toppled over."
2
To die, especially from an illness or injury.
"She succumbed to her illness after a long battle."
How to Use Succumb
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stop resisting and give in — to pressure, temptation, illness, or in the most serious case, to die.
When to use it
Often used in formal or news writing, especially as a somewhat gentler way of saying someone died.
Common pairings
succumb to pressure
succumb to temptation
succumb to injuries
Word Forms
succumbed past tense, succame past tense, succumbs singular
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He finally _____ to temptation and ate the whole cake.
Etymology
From Old French succomber, from Latin succumbere, from sub- ("under") plus cumbere ("to lie down").