Synonyms of succeed

succeed

verb

sək-ˈsēd 

1

as in to go

to turn out as planned or desired

the advertising campaign that finally succeeded used humor to sell the product

Synonyms & Similar Words

• go
• click
• deliver
• bear fruit
• come off
• flourish
• go over
• work out
• catch fire
• pan out
• deliver the goods
• do the trick
• thrive
• prosper
• catch on
• go like clockwork
• cook
• percolate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fail
• strike out
• miss
• founder
• collapse
• struggle
• fold
• flunk
• wash out
• languish
• bomb
• flop
• flounder
• decline
• wane
• sink
• slip
• crumble
• slump
• skid
• choke
• crash
• miscarry
• fall down
• crack up
• go under
• implode
• flame out
• crater
• misfire
• self-destruct

2

as in to thrive

to reach a desired level of accomplishment

if you want to succeed in show business, you have to feel comfortable in front of an audience

Synonyms & Similar Words

• thrive
• flourish
• arrive
• prosper
• excel
• win
• make it
• get ahead
• get there
• get somewhere
• cut it
• make good
• hack it
• make the grade
• prevail
• hit it big
• cut the mustard
• triumph
• make one's mark
• come into one's own

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fail
• struggle
• flounder

3

as in to follow

to come after in time

only the results on election day will tell who will succeed the current president

Synonyms & Similar Words

• follow
• replace
• supersede
• supervene
• supplant
• postdate
• displace
• ensue

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• precede
• predate
• antedate

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

Recent Examples of succeed

Hill succeeds Bob Baker, who has departed the company. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026

One second cousin works for Aflac now, but Amos is not expecting a relative to succeed him. —Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026

Axios said the president recognized that Mojtaba Khamenei, the late supreme leader's son, is the most likely to succeed him. —CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026

Schulze succeeds Vista’s former economic development director, Larry Vaupel, who retired in December. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026