successive

adjective

suc·​ces·​sive sək-ˈse-siv How to pronounce successive (audio)
Synonyms of successivenext
1
: following in order : following each other without interruption
their fourth successive victory
2
: characterized by or produced in succession
successively adverb
successiveness noun

Examples of successive in a Sentence

a trait found in successive generations made the honor roll for three successive school terms
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Given the team’s obvious needs, fans may argue that not bringing in a first-team signing for a third successive January is disappointing — but ‘failure’ suggests Newcastle went into this window with an outright determination to bring in players. Chris Waugh, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026 The main opposition party there, the CHP, was managing to dent Erdoğan’s popularity by triumphing in successive local elections. Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026 That age has gradually increased in recent years, rising by two months for each successive birth year. Bailey Allen, The Providence Journal, 30 Jan. 2026 Those intensive collages implied, and even staged, his successive incarnations across six decades of musical self-reinvention. Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for successive

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of successive was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Successive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/successive. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

successive

adjective
suc·​ces·​sive sək-ˈses-iv How to pronounce successive (audio)
: following in order : following each other without interruption
failed in three successive tries
successively adverb
successiveness noun

Legal Definition

successive

adjective
suc·​ces·​sive sək-ˈse-siv How to pronounce successive (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to succession
successive rights
b
: created by succession
2
: following in order : following each other without interruption
successive bankruptcy filings
3
: of, relating to, or being a petition for habeas corpus that raises a claim already adjudicated
successively adverb
successiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on successive

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