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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The Rays took a 3-1 lead on Vilade’s one-out double and three consecutive two-out RBI hits by centerfielder Cedric Mullins (single), shortstop Ben Williamson (double) and catcher Nick Fortes (double).—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
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McDuffie and Watson were part of Kansas City Chiefs teams that played in three consecutive Super Bowls, winning titles in 2023 and 2024.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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Stones himself had eclipsed the figure of Brazil’s Miranda, another central defender, in a group match against Costa Rica in the 2018 finals (59 passes), meaning that the bar has been raised in three successive tournaments.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
13 June 2026
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At successive Olympics, those who were allowed to compete could do so only as neutrals, without their national flag.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Successional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/successional. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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