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successive

adjective
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suc·​ces·​sive | \ sək-ˈse-siv How to pronounce successive (audio) \

Definition of successive

1 : following in order : following each other without interruption their fourth successive victory
2 : characterized by or produced in succession
Other Words from successive Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about successive

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Other Words from successive

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 Issues with talent evaluation and development that began during Fisher's final year have snowballed amid the successive coaching changes. — Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, "Florida State's football program searches for an identity and a winning streak," 8 Oct. 2020 For the past five years, top military brass and successive secretaries of defense have coveted the tech industry’s software skills and tried to lure companies more aligned with Silicon Valley than the Capital Beltway. Election Sale. — Tom Simonite, Wired, "Behind Anduril’s Effort to Create an Operating System for War," 8 Oct. 2020 The court also said six successive prosecutors took no steps to bring the case to trial. — Bob Egelko, SFChronicle.com, "‘Systemic breakdown’: Court orders release of Alameda County prisoner who waited 14 years for trial that never happened," 7 Oct. 2020 West Ham produced a second successive victory while manager David Moyes self-isolates with the coronavirus. — Rob Harris, Star Tribune, "Man U lets in 6, Liverpool concedes 7 in incredible EPL day," 4 Oct. 2020 A decade later, the Noumea Agreement granted New Caledonia political power and broad autonomy and planned the organization of up to three successive referendums. — Bloomberg.com, "New Caledonia Voters Choose to Stay Part of France," 4 Oct. 2020 Since taking office, President Trump has slashed the size of the refugee admissions program, setting successive lows on the number of refugees the U.S. accepts each year. — Michelle Hackman, WSJ, "Trump Administration Sets Cap on Refugees Allowed Into U.S. at 15,000, Another Record Low," 1 Oct. 2020 This new series of pop-up performances will feature two solo concerts on successive Saturdays in October at Storyland in City Park. — Dean M. Shapiro, NOLA.com, "LPO making music again, as virtual and in-person performances are planned for the fall season," 28 Sep. 2020 As law schools continued to fall under the spell of successive progressive ideologies, the Federalist Society was founded in 1982 to identify and nurture conservative jurists. — Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, "Why the Federalist Society and Other Institutions Matter," 28 Sep. 2020

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

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First Known Use of successive

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Time Traveler for successive

Time Traveler

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

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Last Updated

13 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Successive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/successive. Accessed 24 Oct. 2020.

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More Definitions for successive

successive

adjective
How to pronounce successive (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of successive

: following one after the other in a series : following each other without interruption

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

successive

adjective
suc·​ces·​sive | \ sək-ˈse-siv How to pronounce successive (audio) \

Kids Definition of successive

: following in order and without interruption The family became more powerful with each successive generation.

Other Words from successive

successively adverb

successive

adjective
suc·​ces·​sive | \ sək-ˈse-siv How to pronounce successive (audio) \

Legal Definition of successive

1a : 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

Other Words from successive

successively adverb
successiveness noun

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More from Merriam-Webster on successive

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for successive

Nglish: Translation of successive for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of successive for Arabic Speakers

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