succeed

[ suhk-seed ]

See synonyms for succeed on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to happen or terminate according to desire; turn out successfully; have the desired result: Our efforts succeeded.
to thrive, prosper, grow, or the like: Grass will not succeed in this dry soil.

to accomplish what is attempted or intended: We succeeded in our efforts to start the car.
to attain success in some popularly recognized form, as wealth or standing: The class voted him the one most likely to succeed.
to follow or replace another by descent, election, appointment, etc. (often followed by to).
to come next after something else in an order or series.

verb (used with object)

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

Origin of succeed

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” (see cede)

synonym study For succeed

1-4. 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. 5. See follow.

Opposites for succeed

1-4	fail
8	precede

See antonyms for succeed on Thesaurus.com

Other words from succeed

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use succeed in a sentence

Because he's a rather clever old scoundrel, and he'll know that I'm a succeeder—a getter.
Happy House | Betsey Riddle, Freifrau von Hutten zum Stolzenberg

British Dictionary definitions for succeed

succeed

/ (səkˈsiːd) /

verb

(intr) to accomplish an aim, esp in the manner desired: he succeeded in winning
(intr) to happen in the manner desired: the plan succeeded

(intr) to acquit oneself satisfactorily or do well, as in a specified field: to succeed in publishing
(when intr, often foll by to) to come next in order (after someone or something)
(when intr, often foll by to) to take over an office, post, etc (from a person): he succeeded to the vice presidency
(intr usually foll by to) to come into possession (of property, etc); inherit
(intr) to have a result according to a specified manner: the plan succeeded badly
(intr) to devolve upon: the estate succeeded to his son

Origin of succeed

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

Derived forms of succeed

succeedable, adjective
succeeder, noun
succeeding, adjective
succeedingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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