successional

Definition of successionalnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for successional
Adjective
  • The Panthers have gone from regularly being among the bottom of the league to annual Stanley Cup contenders, including making three consecutive trips to the Cup Final from 2023-25 and winning it all the final two years of that run.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Remain is Shyamalan’s second consecutive film for Warners after 2024’s Trap which made $84 million at the box office off a $30 million budget and became something of a memeable pop culture phenomenon.
    — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • European institutions have warned of democratic backsliding in Serbia in successive reports tracking the progress of candidate countries.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Those that do are also often successive term limits, rather than the cumulative limit proposed in the referendum.
    — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Successional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/successional. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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