SUCCEED Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

succeed

verb

sək-ˈsēd

Definition of succeed next

as in to go

to turn out as planned or desired the advertising campaign that finally succeeded used humor to sell the product

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples of succeed in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web Stefanik succeeded Cheney as House Republican Conference chair after Wyoming voters ousted Cheney following her condemnation of Trump and participation in the House January 6 Committee. —

Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 Levesque succeeds John Koryl, who has departed from the company after about two years in the role and no longer serves on the board. —

Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 1 Nov. 2024 Earl Harris was the first president, succeeded by Kale Fones, Jr. in 1948. —

James F. Hales Remembering Rogers, arkansasonline.com, 31 Oct. 2024 Ortiz was designed to be a new partner for John Boyd’s Scola, succeeding Katherine Rebee Kane’s Tiffany Wallace who departed in the Season 7 premiere. —

Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for succeed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for succeed

Verb

Most went dormant in August and September, then the rain from the remnants of Hurricane Helene made their way up here.

Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 2 Nov. 2024
The sun will also set earlier, going down at 4:28 p.m. in early December before gradually moving later.

Addy Bink, The Hill, 2 Nov. 2024