succeed

[ suhk-seed ]

verb (used without object)

1. to happen or terminate according to desire; turn out successfully; have the desired result:

   Our efforts succeeded.

   Antonyms: fail

2. to thrive, prosper, grow, or the like:

   Grass will not succeed in this dry soil.

   Antonyms: fail

3. to accomplish what is attempted or intended:

   We succeeded in our efforts to start the car.

   Antonyms: fail

4. to attain success in some popularly recognized form, as wealth or standing:

   The class voted him the one most likely to succeed.

   Antonyms: fail

5. to follow or replace another by descent, election, appointment, etc. (often followed by to ).
6. to come next after something else in an order or series.

verb (used with object)

1. to come after and take the place of, as in an office or estate.
2. to come next after in an order or series, or in the course of events; follow.

   Antonyms: precede

succeed

/ səkˈsiːd /

verb

1. intr to accomplish an aim, esp in the manner desired

   he succeeded in winning

2. intr to happen in the manner desired

   the plan succeeded

3. intr to acquit oneself satisfactorily or do well, as in a specified field

   to succeed in publishing

4. whenintr, often foll by to to come next in order (after someone or something)
5. whenintr, often foll by to to take over an office, post, etc (from a person)

   he succeeded to the vice presidency

6. intrusually foll byto to come into possession (of property, etc); inherit
7. intr to have a result according to a specified manner

   the plan succeeded badly

8. intr to devolve upon

   the estate succeeded to his son

Derived Forms

• sucˈceedable, adjective
• sucˈceeder, noun
• sucˈceedingly, adverb
• sucˈceeding, adjective

Other Words From

• suc·ceed·a·ble adjective
• suc·ceed·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of succeed¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English succeden from Old French succeder, from Latin succēdere “to go (from) under, follow, prosper,” equivalent to suc- suc- + cēdere “to go” ( cede )

Word History and Origins

Origin of succeed¹

C15: from Latin succēdere to follow after, from sub- after + cēdere to go

Synonym Study

Succeed, flourish, prosper, thrive mean to do well. To succeed is to turn out well, to attain a goal: It is everyone's wish to succeed in life. To flourish is to give evidence of success or a ripe development of power, reputation, etc.: Culture flourishes among free people. To prosper is to achieve and enjoy material success: He prospered but was still discontented. Thrive suggests vigorous growth and development such as results from natural vitality or favorable conditions: The children thrived in the sunshine. See follow.

Example Sentences

She set out to find and meet Java, and eventually succeeded.

From Los Angeles Times

Should the Democrats succeed with most or all of the nominations, Trump will have around just 20 judicial vacancies to fill upon assuming office in January.

From Salon

But they all accept that those who really want to make it from one side of the border to the other will probably eventually succeed.

From BBC

“Resources have been wasted on bureaucracy and, far too often, on indoctrination instead of empowering students with the skills they need to succeed.”

From Los Angeles Times

This revival succeeds perhaps most fully in the welcoming embrace it extends to all.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accomplish
• achieve
• benefit
• flourish
• gain
• get
• overcome
• prevail
• prosper
• realize
• thrive
• triumph
• win