succumbed to something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "succumbed to something" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate yielding or giving in to a particular force, pressure, or temptation. Example: "After weeks of resisting the temptation to eat sweets, she finally succumbed to the delicious chocolate cake at the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But they had succumbed to something else that had left their tiny corpses in tatters, their wings scorched and pocked with holes.

Independent

In other words, I succumbed to something that's become a weird sub-ritual of American life — one that automatically precedes the macro-ritual of Thanksgiving itself: the Corporate Cafeteria Thanksgiving Preview, or C.C.T.P.

The New York Times

After the battering of the past ten days, has the government of Tony Blair succumbed to something similar?Such judgments are easier, of course, with the benefit of hindsight.

The Economist

In the same Vanity Fair article, he observed that "I have been taunting the Reaper into taking a free scythe in my direction and have now succumbed to something so predictable and banal that it bores even me".

The Guardian - Books

In the end, each of these glittering lives succumbed to something mundane and murderous - cancers of one form or other, heart failure, a fall on the stairs, a urinary-tract infection, pneumonia - no one dies these days of old age, which is one of the reasons that the cancer statistics get worse and worse.

The Guardian - Books

I'm sorry to say that I have succumbed to something like schadenfreude.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Or is it a culprit in weakening a lobster so that it succumbs to something else, like chemicals or temperature?

The New York Times

It's one way to break free of the powerful orbit of home, by succumbing to something more dangerous, more seductive, than familial love.

The New York Times - Books

The finger of destiny points to poor Melville, who succumbs to something between stage fright and an existential anxiety attack; moaning that he can't do it, he goes walkabout, incognito, on the streets of Rome.

The Guardian - Film

But the flipside of living longer is being exposed to the cruel, creeping, degenerative diseases of old age – certain cancers, or Alzheimer's, or Parkinson's – which we might once have escaped by the admittedly double-edged trick of succumbing to something else first.

The Guardian - Opinion

The hook from their 2006 smash We Are Your Friends pokes out a fang a couple of times but is never fully uncaged, considered too populist perhaps – or maybe it is a casualty of dance music's reluctance to succumb to something as unchallenging as a greatest hits set.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "succumbed to something" when you want to emphasize the act of yielding to a force, influence, or temptation. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but consider more precise alternatives if the context requires it.

Common error

Avoid using "succumb" with a direct object. The correct form is "succumbed to something". For example, it's correct to say "He succumbed to the pressure" and incorrect to say "He succumbed the pressure."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "succumbed to something" functions as a verb phrase, specifically indicating the action of yielding or surrendering to a particular force, influence, or condition. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "succumbed to something" is a grammatically sound and widely applicable verb phrase indicating yielding or surrendering to a force, influence, or condition. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and relevance across various writing styles. While it maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse contexts such as news, science, and general writing, writers should consider the nuance required and select more precise vocabulary where appropriate. Be cautious of using the incorrect form like "succumbed something", since that is grammatically incorrect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gave in to something

Focuses on the act of yielding, emphasizing a loss of resistance.

surrendered to something

A general term for giving up resistance.

yielded to something

Implies a more formal or reluctant surrender.

fell victim to something

Highlights the negative consequences of yielding.

succumbed to an influence

Specifically refers to surrendering to external pressures.

was overcome by something

Emphasizes the power of the force that caused the surrender.

submitted to something

Indicates a formal or enforced surrender.

acquiesced to something

Suggests reluctant agreement or passive acceptance.

buckled under something

Suggests a breaking point after sustained pressure.

bowed to something

Implies respect or inevitability in the act of yielding.

FAQs

What does "succumbed to something" mean?

The phrase "succumbed to something" means to give in to, yield to, or be overcome by a particular force, influence, or temptation. It suggests a lack of resistance or an inability to withstand pressure.

How can I use "succumbed to something" in a sentence?

You can use "succumbed to something" to describe a situation where someone or something yields to a particular force. For example, "After resisting for weeks, she finally "gave in to temptation" and ate the cake."

What are some alternatives to "succumbed to something"?

Alternatives include "gave in to", "yielded to", "fell victim to", or "was overcome by", depending on the specific context.

Is "succumbed to something" formal or informal?

"Succumbed to something" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or academic writing, you might consider using a more precise synonym depending on the nuances you want to convey.