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 The house said its Geneva sale was the most successful watch auction ever held, while its New York and Hong Kong watch auctions also set regional records. — Daniel Cassady For Artnews, Robb Report, 8 July 2026 Celebrities such as Dua Lipa and Reese Witherspoon have used their fame and influence to launch wildly successful book clubs. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 As a recording artist, Mattel has a successful Solid Pink Disco DJ tour, with appearances at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, OUTLOUD Music Festival and opening dates for Chappell Roan. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 Some of the renovations have been successful; fountains are running anew, including the long-dormant cascading water feature at the city’s popular Meridian Hill Park. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for successful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for successful
  1. prosperous
  2. thriving
  3. prospering
  4. golden
Adjective
  • Congressional District first and will work to build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous future for our families, our communities, and our country.
    — Belinda Keiser, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026
  • The first half, which takes place in 1923-24, revolves around Tatos Cartozian, a prosperous rug merchant living with his family in Portland, Ore.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of prosperous
Adjective
  • The Hightowers, Rhaenyra soon learns, have sacked the town of Tumbleton, a thriving city on the border of the Crownlands and the Reach.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • In today’s industry, having a major anniversary is like having a new product to promote, a way to participate in an already thriving marketplace for nostalgia.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 6 July 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
  • Haaland has been the World Cup’s biggest personality; a self-deprecating, smiling figurehead that has seldom looked happier than in a golden month with Norway.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 10 July 2026
  • In celebration of the 2026 Forbes World’s Most Influential CMOs List, global marketing leaders gathered in Cannes to honor this year’s honorees and discuss why this period represents a golden era for the discipline.
    — ForbesLive, Forbes.com, 10 July 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 15 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of successful for Spanish Speakers

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