Succeed — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /sək-ˈsēd/ suc·ceed

Meaning & Definition of Succeed

Succeed (verb)

  1. to come next after another in office or position or in possession of an estate; especially, to inherit sovereignty, rank, or title
  2. to follow after another in order
  3. to turn out well

Succeed (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to turn out as planned or desired

    "the advertising campaign that finally succeeded used humor to sell the product"

    similar: click, come off, deliver, go, go over, pan out, work out, bear fruit, catch fire, deliver the goods, do the trick, go like clockwork
    related: catch on, flourish, prosper, thrive, cook, percolate
    opposite: bomb, collapse, fail, flop, flunk, fold, founder, miss, strike out, wash out
    near: languish, flounder, struggle, decline, sink, skid, slip, slump, wane, crash, crater, crumble, flame out, choke, crack up, miscarry, misfire, fall down, go under, implode, self-destruct

  2. 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"

    similar: arrive, flourish, prosper, thrive, come into one's own, cut it, cut the mustard, get ahead, get somewhere, get there, hack it, hit it big, make good, make it, make one's mark, make the grade
    related: prevail, triumph, win, excel
    opposite: fail
    near: flounder, struggle

  3. to come after in time

    "only the results on election day will tell who will succeed the current president"

    similar: follow, postdate, supervene
    related: displace, replace, supersede, supplant, ensue
    opposite: antedate, precede, predate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Succeed

The most common words with a similar meaning to Succeed:

click, come off, deliver, go, go over, pan out, work out, arrive, flourish, prosper, thrive, follow, postdate, supervene, bear fruit, catch fire, deliver the goods, do the trick, go like clockwork, come into one's own, cut it, cut the mustard, get ahead, get somewhere, get there, hack it, hit it big, make good, make it, make one's mark, make the grade

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Succeed

Words with the opposite meaning of Succeed:

bomb, collapse, fail, flop, flunk, fold, founder, miss, strike out, wash out, antedate, precede, predate

Related Words for Succeed

catch on, cook, percolate, prevail, triumph, win, excel, displace, replace, supersede, supplant, ensue

Near Antonyms of Succeed

languish, flounder, struggle, decline, sink, skid, slip, slump, wane, crash, crater, crumble, flame out, choke, crack up, miscarry, misfire, fall down, go under, implode, self-destruct

Word Forms of Succeed

Inflections: succeeded, succeeding, succeeds

Derived words: succeeder (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Succeed

Middle English succeden, from Anglo-French succeeder, from Latin succedere to go up, follow after, succeed, from sub- near + cedere to go sub-

First known use: 14th centuryi

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Succeed

Words & Phrases Containing Succeed

only succeed in

Frequently Asked Questions about Succeed

What does "Succeed" mean?

"Succeed" means to come next after another in office or position or in possession of an estate; especially, to inherit sovereignty, rank, or title. As a verb, it is defined as: to come next after another in office or position or in possession of an estate; especially, to inherit sovereignty, rank, or title. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Succeed"?

Other words for "Succeed" include click, come off, deliver, go, go over, pan out, work out and arrive. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Succeed" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Succeed"?

There are 43 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Succeed". Common alternatives include click, come off, deliver, go, go over, pan out, work out, arrive, flourish and prosper.

What is the opposite of "Succeed"?

Antonyms of "Succeed" include bomb, collapse, fail, flop, flunk, fold, founder and miss. Near antonyms include languish, flounder, struggle and decline.

How do you use "Succeed" in a sentence?

Examples of "Succeed" in a sentence: "the advertising campaign that finally succeeded used humor to sell the product"; "if you want to succeed in show business, you have to feel comfortable in front of an audience"; "only the results on election day will tell who will succeed the current president".

Is "Succeed" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Succeed" is a verb.

Is "Succeed" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Succeed" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Succeed"?

"Succeed" is pronounced /sək-ˈsēd/ and divided into syllables as suc·ceed.