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Cower vs Succumb - What's the difference?

cower | succumb | Related terms |

As verbs the difference between cower and succumb

is that cower is {{cx|intransitive|lang=en}} To crouch or cringe, or to avoid or shy away from something, in fear while succumb is to yield to an overpowering force or overwhelming desire.

cower

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) kuren or from Scandinavian ((etyl) . Unrelated to coward, which is of Latin origin.

Verb

(en verb)
  • To crouch or cringe, or to avoid or shy away from something, in fear.
    • He'd be useless in war. He'd just cower in his bunker until the enemy came in and shot him, or until the war was over.
  • * Dryden
    • Our dame sits cowering o'er a kitchen fire.
  • * Goldsmith
    • Like falcons, cowering on the nest.
    See also
    * coward * cowardice

    Etymology 2

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To cherish with care.
    • (Webster 1913)

    succumb

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (lb) To yield to an overpowering force or overwhelming desire.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=December 21 , author=Tom Rostance , title=Fulham 0 - 5 Man Utd , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Jones was called into action to deny Ruiz with a fine tackle before succumbing to his injury.}}
  • (lb) To give up, or give in.
  • (lb) To die.

    • Synonyms

    * (die) See also