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

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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of succeed DeWine declined to rescind his endorsement of Ramaswamy to succeed him. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026 While most have never been rolled out to the public, one low-tech micro-transit project has been quietly succeeding in filing in some public transportation gaps and getting people around their neighborhoods — for free. — Sofia Zarran, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 Sarandos, who won by a vote of acclamation, succeeds Bob Daly, who held that position for the last 17 years. — Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 If its plans succeed, the CPC will get to write both the definitions and the history books. — Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for succeed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for succeed

Verb

Jayaprakash told Fortune that most of the new money will go toward purchasing more computing power.

— Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Bauers and his wife, Lauren Bauers, sat down with ABC News’ Will Reeve to discuss his journey, going from nearly walking away from professional baseball in 2024 to being named the National League Championship Series MVP last week.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of go

Verb

Changes that help one employee thrive, such as clearer expectations, better training or more consistent communication, often make the workplace more effective for everyone.

— John Gill, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Despite the declining participation numbers, some Massachusetts programs are thriving.

— Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of thrive

Verb

Slide 1 of 15 The entries included license plate numbers, descriptions of vehicles and descriptions of law enforcement personnel Willie Herndon believed were following him, the complaint said.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026
That was soon followed by two short drives, both finished by junior running back Dylan Riley.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of follow

Verb

Continue reading … DIRTY POLITICS — Antifa supporter charged with stealing GOP campaign signs in NY race to replace Stefanik.

— , FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
It's called an exchange because borrowing entities, like a regional heating oil retailer, would be required to replace the same volume at a premium ahead of next year.

— Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of replace

Verb

This collaborative work delivers a new chemical strategy for fabricating high-performance flexible perovskite modules in China.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
Synthetic mRNA delivers the instructions on these specific targets, allowing the body to present them to immune cells.

— Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of deliver

Verb

The area was briefly closed while officers waited for coroner’s officials to arrive.

— Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
With a couple of hundred attendees expected, more than 2,000 people had arrived by the halfway point of the inaugural event, which was hosted by Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1714.

— Nathaniel Levine, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrive

Browse Nearby Words

subzero

succeed

succeeded

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Succeed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/succeed. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of succeed

verb

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Synonyms of succeed

verb

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