Synonym Chooser

How is the word succeed different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of succeed are ensue, follow, and supervene. While all these words mean "to come after something or someone," succeed implies a coming after immediately in a sequence determined by natural order, inheritance, election, or laws of rank.

she succeeded her father as head of the business

When can ensue be used instead of succeed?

While in some cases nearly identical to succeed, ensue commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally expected development.

after the talk a general discussion ensued

When could follow be used to replace succeed?

The words follow and succeed are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, follow may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical sequence.

speeches followed the dinner

When is supervene a more appropriate choice than succeed?

The synonyms supervene and succeed are sometimes interchangeable, but supervene suggests the following or beginning of something unforeseen or unpredictable.

unable to continue because of supervening circumstances

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 succeed She was immediately succeeded by her eldest son, Charles, 76. Simon Perry, People.com, 24 June 2025 Burney, a Baltimore native who’s about to head out on an East Coast book tour, succeeds at crafting a work that’s as much a poignant reflection on his life as an ethnomusical study. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025 Marc Bohan, a designer for Jean Patou who joined Dior in 1958 as creative director of the house’s London subsidiary, succeeded Saint Laurent as creative director. José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 23 June 2025 In 2021, Eric Adams succeeded de Blasio with a potent mix of Black votes plus moderates of various creeds and colors. Eric Lach, New Yorker, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for succeed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for succeed
Verb
  • Simple lifestyle and dietary changes are usually all that is needed to get back on track when things go awry.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 24 June 2025
  • But there is no going all the way back; their faith and trust have been irreparably damaged.
    KORI SCHAKE, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, three top defenders picked shortly after him — including Quinn Hughes, Evan Bouchard and Noah Dobson — are all thriving as All-Star level players.
    The Athletic NHL Staff, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • Foundational Strategies To Improve Productivity And Mental Health A company thrives when its people thrive.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • But that’s not what triggered the news alerts that followed.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 June 2025
  • The Context American Pickers quickly became a History Channel hit following its debut in January 2010.
    Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • There is no need to enter a code, as clicking the link will automatically give you the offer.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
  • It’s brought to life with a stunning pixelated art style inspired by point and click titles such as Day of the Tentacle and Darkside Detective.
    Joshua Lamb, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • By the end of that 1999-2000 season, O’Neal established himself as the league’s MVP, and Bryant began flourishing into an All-NBA mainstay as the Lakers won their first championship since 1988.
    James Jackson, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • Companies that understand this inflection point will either become architects of human flourishing or unwitting accomplices to digital dystopia.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Before the referee had even dropped the whistle from his mouth, Erling Haaland galloped onto the pitch with a coach clearly tasked with readying him to replace Omar Marmoush at the break.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • Kennedy previously fired the entire 17-member panel of outside vaccine experts and replaced them with his own picks.
    Ahmed Aboulenein, USA Today, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • The Supreme Court's conservative majority on Monday delivered a significant win for the Trump administration's immigration policy, clearing the way for officials to resume deportation of migrants to third countries without additional due process requirements imposed by a district court judge.
    Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 23 June 2025
  • The new Lenovo Chromebook Plus will deliver its ground-breaking new Dolby Atmos support right alongside all the customary combination of power and usability for which Chromebooks have become renowned.
    John Archer, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • The suspects fled the area before the officers arrived.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2025
  • Blue Origin shared a snippet of video last week on social media showing the mid-section of the MK1 lander arriving at the company's assembly facilities in Rocket Park, Florida.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Succeed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/succeed. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on succeed

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