successive

adjective

suc·​ces·​sive sək-ˈse-siv 

1

: following in order : following each other without interruption

their fourth successive victory

2

: characterized by or produced in succession

successively adverb

successiveness noun

Synonyms of successive

• consecutive

Examples of successive in a Sentence

a trait found in successive generations

made the honor roll for three successive school terms

Recent Examples on the Web

The Parliament Acts allow for bills that have been backed by the House of Commons in two successive sessions, but rejected by the House of Lords, to pass into law without from approval by the Lords. — ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026

Khadija Shaw of Manchester City, winner of three successive WSL Golden Boots, has 187,000 Instagram followers, Manchester United captain Maya Le Tissier 146,000 and Chelsea’s England international striker Aggie Beever-Jones has 133,000. — Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

The influence of that style can be seen in many successive films including You Can See Everything, which just premiered at Telluride, and The Oldest Person in the World, directed by Sam Green. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

The Iranian economy has certainly felt the effects of all the successive restrictions. — Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for successive

• aggressive
• compressive
• concessive
• depressive
• excessive
• expressive
• impressive
• obsessive
• oppressive
• possessive
• progressive
• recessive

Kids Definition

successive

adjective

suc·​ces·​sive sək-ˈses-iv 

: following in order : following each other without interruption

failed in three successive tries

successively adverb

successiveness noun

Legal Definition

successive

adjective

suc·​ces·​sive sək-ˈse-siv 

1

a

: of or relating to succession

successive rights

b

: created by succession

2

: following in order : following each other without interruption

successive bankruptcy filings

3

: of, relating to, or being a petition for habeas corpus that raises a claim already adjudicated

successively adverb

successiveness noun