Meaning & use

succeed

verb·Everyday

To achieve a desired aim or result, especially after making an effort.

See it in a sentence

She worked for years before she finally succeeded in publishing her novel.

The new marketing campaign succeeded in boosting sales by twenty percent.

A note on using this word

"Succeed" is often followed by "in" plus a gerund, as in "succeed in doing something," not "to do something."

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

fail

Another way to use it

2. verb

To come after another person and take their place, especially in a position of authority.

Her eldest son will succeed her as head of the company next year.

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