What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
succumb
Example
He finally succumbed to his illness after a long battle. [succumbed: past tense]
Example
I tried to resist the temptation, but eventually, I succumbed. [succumbed: past participle]
prey
Example
The lion stalked its prey before pouncing on it. [prey: noun]
Example
The elderly are often preyed upon by scammers. [preyed: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prey is more commonly used than succumb in everyday language. Prey is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while succumb is less common and often used in specific medical or psychological contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between succumb and prey?
While prey is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, succumb is more formal and often used in technical or academic contexts.
