1
as in prosperous
having attained a desired end or state of good fortune
the play had a successful run on Broadway
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thriving
marked by vigorous growth and well-being especially economically
sold their successful dry-cleaning business and retired to Hawaii
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of successful
This marked the 300th successful reflight of a booster.
—
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Pitchers also can challenge a ball-strike call, but only five did (two successful) during the first weekend.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
In spaceflight history, his name is synonymous with NASA's original moon program, which flew between 1961 and 1972 and culminated in six successful lunar landings.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Gay is also a cast member of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, another successful reality show franchise that lifts the curtain on Utahn Mormon culture (three cast members are ex-Mormons while one is still practicing).
—Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for successful
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Pitchers also can challenge a ball-strike call, but only five did (two successful) during the first weekend.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
In spaceflight history, his name is synonymous with NASA's original moon program, which flew between 1961 and 1972 and culminated in six successful lunar landings.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Gay is also a cast member of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, another successful reality show franchise that lifts the curtain on Utahn Mormon culture (three cast members are ex-Mormons while one is still practicing).
—Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for successful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for successful
Adjective
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What is once in a lifetime in some places, once a generation in other places, occasional in the most prosperous of programs, has become a baseline achievement for the men’s and women’s basketball teams in Storrs.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
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But where Grosz targets only the vain and prosperous, Lapid puts his struggling bohemians at the heart of corruption.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
No one in this industry is really thriving, and that’s truer now than ever.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
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Packed with nightclubs, bars, restaurants, movie theatres and an array of other thriving businesses, The Stroll was a Black creative and cultural hub that became known as the jazz capital of the world.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The 8-episode first season charts the improbable ascent of Joe and Rose Kennedy and their nine children, including rebellious second son Jack, who struggles to escape the shadow of his golden boy older brother.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
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There are traditional soups like Greek lentil and avgolemono, a lemony chicken soup with egg; and salads with golden beets or apples and gorgonzola.—
Emily M. Olson,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Successful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/successful. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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