succumb

Everyday

1. (formal) To succumb is to stop resisting something and give in to it, like a temptation or pressure. tree →
2. (formal, euphemism) To succumb to an illness or injury is to die from it. tree →
3. To succumb to sleep or tiredness is to be overcome by it. tree →

In the lessons

A formal word in news, history and exam language. In stories a hero «succumbs to temptation» or «to sleep». In news «succumbed to his injuries» is a gentle way to say he died. Usually followed by «to»: «succumb to».

Examples

• I finally succumbed and ate the last biscuit. tree →
• The town succumbed to the enemy after a long siege. tree →
• Sadly, the driver succumbed to his injuries. tree →
• Many trees succumbed to the disease. tree →
• After the long walk, the children succumbed to sleep. tree →
• Don't succumb to pressure from friends to do something wrong. tree →
• The old castle succumbed to wind and rain over time. tree →
• Arrived on the battlefield she beheld the lifeless body of her son, who, after a long and brave defence, had at length succumbed to the all-conquering arm of Achilles. tree →

Note

Spelling: double «c», silent «b» at the end: succumb (said «suh-KUM»). It is followed by «to». Formal; everyday words are «give in» and, for death, «die» or «pass away».