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to succor

to succor

1 9.6
To give help to someone in a difficult or dangerous time
  • verb
  • /ˈsʌkər/
  • Formal
translation icon : socorrer
  • As a devoted friend, she vowed to succor him during his time of need.
  • succor the poor

Examples

  • His possessions are lordly, but he succors the poor and turns no one away; his hand is lavish.

    Academic text (1998)
  • So can we agree that we can act together politically to succor the suffering and root out the causes of injustice?

    Academic text (1991)
  • Of what use is it to bring men in from the cruel sea if not to succor them?

    Fiction book (1994)
  • In turn, as mothers and daughters of Israel, it was the women's role to succor and assist those in need.

    Academic text (2003)
  • The Archer could feel the men's agony, and they knew without speech that he, warrior and physician, was there to succor it.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • There is a natural sensitivity to their suffering that prompts us irresistibly to feel and succor their distresses.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The purpose of retribution is to succor the violated from injustice by requiring the violator to share the wound he or she has inflicted.

    Academic text (2009)
  • The volunteers rushed to succor the victims after the earthquake struck the city.

  • When disaster struck, the community came together to succor those in need.

Synonyms

to rescue
vsto succor
633 1.0

Save someone or something from danger

gives assistance without necessarily removing the actual danger completely
to help out
vsto succor
  • Informal
486 1.0

To do something for someone who cannot do it alone

is broader and used for assistance in dangerous or serious circumstances too
to help someone out
vsto succor
  • Informal
182 1.3

Give someone support with a task or problem when they need it

focuses more on giving direct assistance in dangerous situations than general support
to offer support
vsto succor
28 2.7

To give help to someone during a difficult time

tends to emphasize ongoing backing rather than immediate life-saving help
16 3.1

To help someone who is in trouble or danger

gives assistance more generally rather than only at urgent moments
to come to the rescue
vsto succor
14 3.4

Arrive to help someone who is in trouble

provides assistance without stressing arrival or physical intervention
to lend a helping hand
vsto succor
  • Informal
6 2.7

To give someone support with a task or problem

means giving assistance in danger or difficulty rather than casual friendly support
3 3.1

To help someone when they are in trouble

gives assistance but not necessarily quickly or at a single moment

Antonyms

1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

219 4.2

To leave people or a place when you are needed

How Helpful

to save
1.0
to succor
  • Formal
1 9.6
to relieve
166 2.3
to aid
238 1.0

Surface Forms

succor infinitive
succored past
succored past participle
succoring present participle
succors third person singular

Etymology

To succor someone comes from the Latin succurrere, from sub- 'under' and currere 'to run', giving the image of 'running to someone's side to help'. That's why the verb succor means to go and give help in a dangerous or hard situation.