What does it mean to "succumb"?

To "succumb" means to yield or give way, often in the face of a superior force, pressure, or temptation. This term conveys the idea of surrendering or being defeated by some overpowering influence or situation. When someone succumbs to a challenge, illness, or pressure, they are essentially unable to resist any longer and give in to that force.

In this context, the other choices do not reflect the meaning of "succumb." Resisting until the end indicates a strong opposition, refusing authority suggests a defiance against power, and retaliating against power denotes an active response rather than submission. Thus, the option that captures the essence of yielding to a stronger force is the most accurate interpretation of the term.