success

noun

suc·cess | \sək-ˈses

Definition of success

1 obsolete : outcome, result

2a : degree or measure of succeeding

b : favorable or desired outcome also : the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence

3 : one that succeeds

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about success

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Examples of success in a Sentence

An enormous popular and critical success, The Liars' Club was credited with (or blamed for) launching a new wave of memoir-writing. (Karr deflects this accusation: "I think memoir started with St. Augustine," she told Salon in 1997.) — Mollie Wilson O'Reilly, Commonweal, 23 Oct. 2009 Fred tries to keep up his end of the conversation, but without much success; he has never grown bulbs, cooked veal, seen a film by Fassbinder, etc. He feels provincial and out of it … — Alison Lurie, Foreign Affairs, 2006 Since I was interested in finding out about the successes as well as the failures disabled women experience in the world, I interviewed women who had some work experience, although it was often part-time work and sometimes interrupted. — Mary Grimley Mason, Working Against Odds, 2004 The necessaries of life for man in this climate may, accurately enough, be distributed under the several heads of Food, Shelter, Clothing, and Fuel; for not till we have secured these are we prepared to entertain the true problems of life with freedom and a prospect of success. — Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854 Success came easily to him. She is country music's most recent success. The growth of the tourism industry is one of the city's great successes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Continued success—and perhaps survival—now means trying to keep investors, users, and Congress happy. — Alex Shephard, The New Republic, "Is Twitter Good Now?," 13 July 2018 Holiday was caught under on a lot of screens and didn't have as much success defensively vs. Sexton. — J. Michael, Indianapolis Star, "Aaron Holiday battles Collin Sexton as Pacers come up short in summer league vs. Cavs," 9 July 2018 This was peculiar, a horrid home start for a pitcher with such sustained success inside Minute Maid Park. — Chandler Rome, Houston Chronicle, "Athletics hammer Lance McCullers in Astros' loss," 12 July 2018 Punitive damages, especially those many times higher than the compensatory damages, are often reduced by the trial judge or reversed on appeal The company has been fighting more than 9,000 talcum-powder lawsuits with mixed success. — Sara Randazzo, WSJ, "J&J Hit With $4.7 Billion Jury Verdict in Baby Powder Suit," 12 July 2018 But town officials here are fighting back, and with some success. — Amy Green, miamiherald, "With Gov. Scott and legislature in denial, tiny town adapts on its own to climate change," 11 July 2018 With the success of Atonement, Ronan left school and began to juggle home tutoring with an intense work schedule. — Jamie Hawkesworth, Vogue, "Saoirse Ronan on Growing Up on Camera, the Changing Politics of Ireland, and Becoming a Queen," 11 July 2018 But the movement for a shorter workday persisted, with success. — Livia Gershon, Longreads, "Clocking Out," 11 July 2018 Between 1923 and 1925 four Southern states (Oklahoma, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas) tried, with mixed success, to stop the teaching of evolution in the public schools. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "Dems face big loss, big opportunity with Kavanaugh," 10 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'success.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near success

successional speciation

Statistics for success

Last Updated

1 Nov 2018

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Time Traveler for success

The first known use of success was in 1537

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More Definitions for success

success

noun

English Language Learners Definition of success

: the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame

: the correct or desired result of an attempt

: someone or something that is successful : a person or thing that succeeds

See the full definition for success in the English Language Learners Dictionary

success

noun

suc·cess | \sək-ˈses

Kids Definition of success

1 : satisfactory completion of something But you must, when you are calculating the odds of the mouse's success, factor in his love for the princess.— Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux

2 : the gaining of wealth, respect, or fame

3 : a person or thing that succeeds The show was a success.