success

noun suc·cess \ sək-ˈses \

|Updated on: 12 Jul 2018

Examples: success in a Sentence

Definition of success

1 obsolete : outcome, result

2 a : degree or measure of succeeding

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

3 : one that succeeds

See success defined for English-language learners

See success defined for kids

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 of success from the Web

The one thing in common during all three periods of success at Oak Ridge High was continuity.

— chris hays, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Coach Clint Johnson hopes to return Oak Ridge to glory," 10 July 2018
There have been other forms of adversity that hindered the team, but that made the success at states all the more commendable.

— gary curreri, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Pompano teen helps eight-grade basketball team reach 'Elite' status," 8 July 2018
By any account, John Krasinski’s directorial debut A Quiet Place was a strong success.

— tasha robinson, The Verge, "Why the hardest special effect on A Quiet Place was corn," 8 July 2018
Anyone doubting the long game here should be encouraged by Callazzo’s surprising success at the Iron Room (648 N. Albany Ave.

— craig laban, Philly.com, "Atlantic City restaurants: New casinos, diverse independent spots create rising culinary energy," 6 July 2018
Ayton’s first game in a Suns’ uniform wasn’t a rousing success, at least from a statistical perspective.

— scott bordow, azcentral, "Quiet night for Ayton, but Okobo, Bridges impressive as Suns roll to Summer League win," 6 July 2018
The Russian Proton hasn't always been a roaring success either.

— sarah scoles, WIRED, "Never Prebook Your Return Flight From a Rocket Launch," 6 July 2018
The World Cup is hurtling towards the end of its 21st staging, and though soccer is the most global of all games, success at its finest tournament has been reserved for a handful of bluebloods.

— martin rogers, USA TODAY, "The chances a long-suffering nation wins the World Cup is greater than normal," 4 July 2018
Stay Thirsty, a son of Bernardini, is having early success at $5,000 for a live foal at Lovacres.

— eric sondheimer, latimes.com, "Racing! New stallions try to give a boost in California," 2 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.

Origin and Etymology of success

Latin successus, from succedere — see succeed

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1537

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

success Synonyms

Phrases

a feather in one's cap;

SUCCESS Defined for English Language Learners

success

noun

Definition of success for English Language Learners

: 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

SUCCESS Defined for Kids

success

noun suc·cess \ sək-ˈses \

Definition of success for Students

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