successor

noun

suc·​ces·​sor sək-ˈse-sər How to pronounce successor (audio)
Synonyms of successor
: one that follows
especially : one who succeeds to a throne, title, estate, or office

Examples of successor in a Sentence

The CEO's successor used to be the vice president here. the successor to the throne
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 2028 deadline puts a central concession to protesters beyond President Emmanuel Macron’s time in office, leaving his successor’s government to deliver it. — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 Sonko, who was fired as premier in May, has clashed with his successor over how to manage the country’s debt. — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Maria would spend years debating the ideas of early economics with Malthus, his friends, and eventually his successor, helping to influence their thinking and inform their research. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026 The former president delivered a blistering critique of his successor — watch here. — Jamie Ross, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for successor

Word History

Etymology

Middle English successour, from Anglo-French, from Latin successor, from succedere

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of successor was in the 13th century

Rhymes for successor

See All Rhymes for successor

Browse Nearby Words

success line
successor
successorship
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Successor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/successor. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

successor

noun
suc·​ces·​sor sək-ˈses-ər How to pronounce successor (audio)
: one that follows
especially : a person who succeeds to a throne, title, estate, or office

Legal Definition

successor

noun
suc·​ces·​sor sək-ˈse-sər How to pronounce successor (audio)
: one that follows : one that succeeds another (as in a position, title, office, or estate)

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