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 Based on Stecher’s ability to find a way into the lineup (and succeed), don’t count him out. Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 17 May 2025 The actress succeeds in bringing some psychological complexity to a script that otherwise has too little of it. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025 When leaders place loyalists in charge of federal law enforcement, attempts to conjure votes for the president out of thin air or to seize ballot boxes in opposition districts are more likely to succeed. Erica Frantz, The Conversation, 16 May 2025 Proposition 48 intended to strengthen academic requirements and ensure that college athletes have the academic skills to succeed in college courses. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for succeed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for succeed
Verb
  • So now the mystery of high U.S. interest rates makes sense: keep the dollar strong to keep the confetti going and the runaway government spending funded.
    Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • Season 2 will see Charles (Danson) going undercover at a college.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • This perennial Mediterranean herb thrives in hot, dry sites.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 16 May 2025
  • Healthy co-parenting relationships can increase the odds of children thriving, and Angel seems to be doing just that, according to the singer.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The Royals had one of the best one-season turnarounds in MLB history, following a 106-loss year with a playoff appearance.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 17 May 2025
  • Watch Final Destination on Max Final Destination 2 Picking up a year after the first movie, Final Destination 2 follows Kimberly Corman (A.J. Cook), who, while driving on the highway with her friends, suddenly has a premonition of a massive pile-up killing her and dozens of others.
    Keith Langston, People.com, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, click here.
    Matthew Impelli, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
  • To read the results of previous reader polls, click here.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Anyway, Trump’s family businesses are flourishing during – and thanks to – his second term as president.
    Chris Brennan, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Some players just flourish in the right situations.
    Murat Ates, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • More news to know now The acting FEMA administrator was replaced after contradicting Trump on abolishing the agency.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • The analysts point out that AI cannot fully replace humans to ensure guest satisfaction to resolve service issues that require critical thinking and personalized service. 4.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • The new concoction was to be delivered via twice-monthly infusions — though each treatment would take longer, pushing the medicine into Elissa’s body for eight or nine hours at a time.
    Kristen Jordan Shamus, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • With an acoustic guitar player providing live music and a few people delivering positive affirmations during her attempt, Noone locked in the record with a time of 25 minutes and 11.3 seconds.
    Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • Trump kicks off Middle East tour President Donald Trump has arrived in Saudi Arabia for the start of three days of summits in the Middle East, blending business and diplomacy.
    Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • An eleventh-hour Missouri path would arrive closer to the sunset of that one-year STAR bonds proposal than its sunrise.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Succeed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/succeed. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on succeed

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