What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
succumbent
Example
The succumbent stems of the strawberry plant spread out and root along the ground. [succumbent: adjective]
Example
After a long day at work, I like to lie in a succumbent position and relax. [succumbent: noun]
Example
He succumbed to the temptation of eating the entire cake. [succumbed: past tense verb]
recumbent
Example
The recumbent bike at the gym is more comfortable for my back than the upright one. [recumbent: adjective]
Example
She lay in a recumbent position on the beach, soaking up the sun. [recumbent: noun]
Example
After a long hike, we rested in a recumbent position on the grassy hill. [recumbent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recumbent is more commonly used than succumbent in everyday language. Recumbent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while succumbent is less common and refers to a specific type of plant stem or a negative connotation of yielding.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between succumbent and recumbent?
Both succumbent and recumbent are formal words that may not be commonly used in casual conversation. However, recumbent is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.