Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

succeeding

[suh k-see-ding]
See more synonyms for succeeding on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. being that which follows; subsequent; ensuing: laws to benefit succeeding generations.
Show More

Origin of succeeding

First recorded in 1555–65; succeed + -ing1
Related formssuc·ceed·ing·ly, adverbun·suc·ceed·ing, adjective

succeed

[suh k-seed]
verb (used without object)
  1. to happen or terminate according to desire; turn out successfully; have the desired result: Our efforts succeeded.
  2. to thrive, prosper, grow, or the like: Grass will not succeed in this dry soil.
  3. to accomplish what is attempted or intended: We succeeded in our efforts to start the car.
  4. to attain success in some popularly recognized form, as wealth or standing: The class voted him the one most likely to succeed.
  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.
Show More
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.
Show More

Origin of succeed

1325–75; Middle English succeden < Latin succēdere to go (from) under, follow, prosper, equivalent to suc- suc- + cēdere to go (see cede)
Related formssuc·ceed·a·ble, adjectivesuc·ceed·er, nounun·suc·ceed·ed, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms for succeed on Thesaurus.com
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.

Antonyms

1–4. fail. 8. precede.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for succeeding

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

British Dictionary definitions for succeeding

succeed

verb
  1. (intr) to accomplish an aim, esp in the manner desiredhe succeeded in winning
  2. (intr) to happen in the manner desiredthe plan succeeded
  3. (intr) to acquit oneself satisfactorily or do well, as in a specified fieldto succeed in publishing
  4. (when intr, often foll by to) to come next in order (after someone or something)
  5. (when intr, often foll by to) to take over an office, post, etc (from a person)he succeeded to the vice presidency
  6. (intr usually foll by to) to come into possession (of property, etc); inherit
  7. (intr) to have a result according to a specified mannerthe plan succeeded badly
  8. (intr) to devolve uponthe estate succeeded to his son
Show More
Derived Formssucceedable, adjectivesucceeder, nounsucceeding, adjectivesucceedingly, adverb

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for succeeding

succeed

v.

late 14c., "come next after, take the place of another," from Old French succeder (14c.), from Latin succedere "come after, go near to," from sub "next to, after" (see sub-) + cedere "go, move" (see cede). Meaning "to continue, endure" is from early 15c. The sense of "turn out well, have a favorable result" is first recorded late 15c., with ellipsis of adverb (succeed well).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper