succeed

verb

sək-ˈsēd How to pronounce succeed (audio)
Definition of succeednext
1
as in to go
to turn out as planned or desired the advertising campaign that finally succeeded used humor to sell the product

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2
as in to thrive
to reach a desired level of accomplishment if you want to succeed in show business, you have to feel comfortable in front of an audience

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3
as in to follow
to come after in time only the results on election day will tell who will succeed the current president

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word succeed different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of succeed are ensue, follow, and supervene. While all these words mean "to come after something or someone," succeed implies a coming after immediately in a sequence determined by natural order, inheritance, election, or laws of rank.

she succeeded her father as head of the business

When can ensue be used instead of succeed?

While in some cases nearly identical to succeed, ensue commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally expected development.

after the talk a general discussion ensued

When could follow be used to replace succeed?

The words follow and succeed are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, follow may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical sequence.

speeches followed the dinner

When is supervene a more appropriate choice than succeed?

The synonyms supervene and succeed are sometimes interchangeable, but supervene suggests the following or beginning of something unforeseen or unpredictable.

unable to continue because of supervening circumstances

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of succeed If Brown can’t return and Cabrera doesn’t succeed in a leverage role, Counsell’s other viable options to join Palencia and Webb are Zeferjahn, Ryan Rolison and Trent Thornton, who imploded in Friday’s loss. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 Over at Bottega Veneta, the former president and CEO of Fragrance Group LVMH Beauty Romain Spitzer will arrive as CEO on Tuesday, succeeding Leo Rongone, who joined Moncler as CEO on April 1. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026 The change in roles comes a day before John Ternus takes the helm at Apple, succeeding Tim Cook. — Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026 In order to succeed in a system that doesn’t consider you, certain sacrifices have to be made. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for succeed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for succeed
  1. go
  2. thrive
  3. follow
  4. click
  5. flourish
  6. replace
  7. deliver
  8. arrive
Verb
  • Even near the end of an August in which the Jays went 17-11, the team posted a near-average wRC+ (101 entering Sunday).
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • In fact, the breakeven rate of employment growth, or the number of net new jobs needed each month to keep the unemployment rate steady, actually went slightly negative during the summer and fall of 2025.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of go
Verb
  • Indoors, geraniums will need bright, direct light from a sunny, south-facing window to thrive.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Avoid over-applying top dressing—too much can smother your grass and prevent it from thriving.
    — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of thrive
Verb
  • Carillo delivered a speech so rousing, witty and tender all at once that following her became something of an impossibility.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Braden Montgomery singled and Colson Montgomery followed with the three-run home run, giving the Sox a 4-0 lead.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of follow
Verb
  • The next artist starts in front of everyone who stayed, including people who might never have clicked the name on a streaming app.
    — Svetlana Khachiyan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Celeste begins worrying about her mother-in-law after her credit cards are declined and her outfits are increasingly out of place, but things begin to click when Mary-Louise gives Max, Josh and Ziggy expensive cars.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of click
Verb
  • A great deal of flourishing and suffering happens between people, not just within them, because human beings are relational beings.
    — David H. Rosmarin, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The unsettled partisan lines around this issue have allowed anger, rooted in decades of deindustrialization and public austerity, to flourish in the electorate.
    — Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of flourish
Verb
  • Other goals, like a lactation room, upgrading the fire alarm system to a voice evacuation system for the whole building and replacing the elevator came later.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Summary Despite the digital shift, leading retailers are leveraging AI to enhance human customer connections, not replace them.
    — John Hall, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of replace
Verb
  • Davis delivered a strong preseason, but he is now likely headed to a redshirt rookie season unless injuries strike at tackle.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Scientists around the world are anticipating the unprecedented insights Roman could deliver.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of deliver
Verb
  • This position — especially once assistant head coach Frank Smith arrived — requires immense mental aptitude.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The minister said Nepal has received over 57 metric tons of relief supplies from India, with additional aid arriving from China, Japan, Australia and other countries.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of arrive

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Cite this Entry

“Succeed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/succeed. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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