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succumb

/səˈkʌm/
verb★Intermediate
formalinformal

to give way to something, especially after resisting for a time

The city succumbed to the invading army after a long siege.

The city surrendered to the invading army after a prolonged resistance.

He tried to resist the temptation, but eventually succumbed to the delicious dessert.

He fought the urge, but ultimately gave in to the temptation of the dessert.

💡

Often used in contexts of yielding to pressure, temptation, or overwhelming force.

Collocations

succumb toto yield to something, especially after resisting

Synonyms

Antonyms

💡Pro Tip

Common Usage

The phrase 'succumb to' is the most common collocation, indicating yielding to something after resistance.

📖Word Origin

From Latin 'succumbere', meaning 'to lie down under, yield, submit', from 'sub-' (under) + 'cumbere' (to lie down).

📝Usage Notes

Often used in formal or literary contexts, but also common in everyday language when describing giving in to something.

Word Breakdown

sub-
under
prefix
+
-cumb
to lie down
root
English Dictionary

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