as in consecutive
following one after another without others coming in between
the successional stages that an area goes through following a devastating forest fire
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Recent Examples of successional
This biological soil crust immobilizes shifting dunes and establishes a nutrient-rich substrate essential for the successional development of plant life.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2026
Periodic burning or disking, to maintain early successional growth and keep a field from becoming a young forest, tends to stimulate the growth of forbs.
—Will Brantley, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2025
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2026
Periodic burning or disking, to maintain early successional growth and keep a field from becoming a young forest, tends to stimulate the growth of forbs.
—Will Brantley, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for successional
Adjective
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McDaniel, 42, was highly regarded while directing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to wild-card appearances in 2022 and ’23, after Miami had missed the playoffs for five consecutive seasons.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
21 Jan. 2026
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After two consecutive counts showing a decline in homelessness, Samvelyan said this year's count may reveal whether funding cuts have already set the city and county back.—
Jasmine Viel,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Today, the Nelsons are listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the only family to reach number one record status in three successive generations.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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Over the past decade and a half, millions from the Middle East, North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia arrived amid successive crises in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, and beyond.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Successional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/successional. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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