successful

adjective

sək-ˈses-fəl How to pronounce successful (audio)
Definition of successfulnext
1
as in prosperous
having attained a desired end or state of good fortune the play had a successful run on Broadway

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thriving
marked by vigorous growth and well-being especially economically sold their successful dry-cleaning business and retired to Hawaii

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 successful Okada was asked how the Seahawks were so successful against the Chiefs. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026 After a slew of successful transactions, Ben Bennett’s The Center is ready for its next act. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026 Moritz, a successful venture capitalist, summons up his relatives vividly. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 And the expansion of the IRL Economy, just like the AI buildout, will require substantial capital to build and modernize venues, bring successful concepts to new markets and create entirely new offerings. — Davis Noell, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for successful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for successful
  1. prosperous
  2. thriving
  3. prospering
  4. golden
Adjective
  • The construction is transforming what was once a coastal defense zone into one of China’s most prosperous regions.
    — Ningrong Liu, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In Namibia, the stakes are high, but so is the promise of a more prosperous, wild future.
    — Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of prosperous
Adjective
  • Salem is a vibrant, thriving, bustling city, attracting throngs of tourists in the autumn.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Lump recommends people explore the thriving creative communities in the towns en route, such as Mendocino and Laguna Beach.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of thriving
Adjective
  • Wall Street has been treating the two companies very differently over the past year, largely because Alphabet has a prospering cloud business that helps justify its hefty spending.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 5 June 2026
Definition of prospering
Adjective
  • California boaters will now face a higher fee to use the state’s lakes, rivers and other waterways as officials expand their efforts to fight invasive golden mussels.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • What’s behind the golden (or orange) age of Halloween stoop decor in the city?
    — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of golden

Browse Nearby Words

successes
successful
successfulness
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Cite this Entry

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

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