succumbs

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "succumbs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone or something yielding to a force, pressure, or temptation. Example: "Despite her best efforts to resist, she ultimately succumbs to the allure of the dessert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More broadly, this wire report succumbs to the senseless rehashing of celebrity stories about ghost writing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 11.20pm BST23 20 ET18: Schweinsteiger succumbs to cramp and hobbles off.

The Guardian - Sport

If Slovenia succumbs, it would be the first former communist country in the euro area to need aid.

The Economist

But he could still influence outcomes by raising the inflation target and thus loosening monetary policy; and a government whose electoral prospects look as dire as this one's do is bound to be tempted.If Mr Brown succumbs to that temptation, he might pick up a few more votes at the general election due within the next two years but probably not enough to win.

The Economist

If Kobane succumbs there will be a chorus of demands for a redoubled coalition effort, offset by dire warnings of the dangers of mission creep.In this section The gay divide A better way to arbitrate The will and the way Weaker than it looks Viva la revolución ReprintsIS poses a threat to the entire Middle East and is potentially a source of terrorism against the West.

The Economist

This is an intriguing, intelligent book and the third outing for John March, so it is perhaps surprising that Mr Spiegelman still succumbs to the novice novelist's temptation to provide overlong description.

The Economist

Yet for 20 years he gets away with passing off his funny money because he never succumbs to greed.

The Economist

Politics is turning rancid as the south succumbs to austerity fatigue and the north to rescue fatigue (see article).

The Economist

Sources close to the prime minister maintain that this latest bloodletting may yet turn out to be the last contortion of the conflict before it succumbs to a negotiated settlement, perhaps with the Jerusalem issues left in abeyance.

The Economist

Mr Kahneman, an Israeli-American psychologist and Nobel economics laureate, has delivered a full catalogue of the biases, shortcuts and cognitive illusions to which our species regularly succumbs.

The Economist

45594857-fc3e-484b-8129-ad688b69bdc9 CALL it the "Matador Doctrine": a beast charges pointlessly at the bullfighter's cape, exhausting itself and suffering endless small wounds, until it succumbs to a weaker opponent.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "succumbs" when you want to convey a sense of inevitability or weakness in yielding to a force or influence. It's often used in more formal or serious contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "succumbs" in casual or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "gives in" or "yields" are often more appropriate for everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The word "succumbs" functions primarily as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense of "succumb". It describes the action of yielding or giving way to pressure, temptation, or some other force. According to Ludwig AI, this term is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "succumbs" functions as a verb indicating yielding or giving way to a force, pressure, or temptation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for formal writing and should be used sparingly in casual conversation, where alternatives like "gives in" or "yields" might be more appropriate. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig underscore its prevalence in reputable sources like The Economist and Encyclopedia Britannica, solidifying its position as a valuable term in formal English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gives in

This is a simpler and more direct alternative, implying a yielding to pressure or temptation.

yields

Similar to "gives in", but often implies a more formal or inevitable surrender.

surrenders

Implies a complete and often unwilling cessation of resistance.

falls victim to

Highlights the negative consequence of yielding, emphasizing the harm suffered.

is overcome by

Focuses on the force or influence that causes the yielding.

is defeated by

Emphasizes the loss or failure resulting from the yielding.

caves in

Suggests a sudden or dramatic collapse under pressure.

gives way

Implies a gradual yielding or collapse, often due to structural weakness.

bows to

Indicates a formal or respectful yielding to authority or pressure.

capitulates

A more formal term for surrendering, often used in military or political contexts.

FAQs

How to use "succumbs" in a sentence?

Use "succumbs" to indicate yielding to pressure, temptation, or force. For example, "The old building finally succumbs to the earthquake" or "He succumbs to the temptation of the forbidden fruit".

What can I say instead of "succumbs"?

You can use alternatives like "gives in", "yields", or "surrenders" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the word "succumbs"?

It is appropriate to use "succumbs" in formal writing when describing something or someone yielding to an overwhelming force, temptation, or pressure. It suggests a sense of defeat or inevitability.

Is "succumbs" a formal word?

Yes, "succumbs" is generally considered a formal word. In more casual contexts, alternatives like "gives in" or "caves" might be more suitable.