Succeed is a verbA word that shows an action, state, or happening. with two main meanings. It can mean to do well or achieveTo successfully get or do something desired or planned. what you wanted, and it can also mean to come after someone in a role, title, or positionA job, place, or rank someone holds in an organization or sequence..
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /səkˈsid/
Easy pronunciation: suh-KSEED (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable.
Primary sense: to attain success or reach a desired goal.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Succeed Meaning
to do well or achieve what you wanted
Part of speech: verb
Definition: attain success or reach a desired goal
Example: We succeeded in getting tickets to the show.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- come through — Works well for achieving a result or getting through a difficult situation.
- deliver the goods — A practical substitute when someone meets expectations or gets results.
- win — Fits when success means achieving victory or a positive outcome.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Succeed
Meaning 2
to come after someone in a job, title, or position
Part of speech: verb
Definition: be the successor (of)
Example: Will Charles succeed to the throne?
Synonyms for this meaning:
- come after — Directly matches the sense of taking over a position after someone else.
- follow — Works in formal or institutional contexts where one person replaces another.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Succeed Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- come through
- deliver the goods
- win
be the successor (of)
- come after
- follow
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Succeed in a Sentence
- The enterprise succeeded.
- We succeeded in getting tickets to the show.
- Will Charles succeed to the throne?
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse succeed meaning 'achieve success' with succeed meaning 'replace or come after someone.'
- The phrase 'succeed to' is used for inheriting or taking over a position, not for general achievement.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does succeed mean?
Succeed usually means to do well or achieve a goal. It can also mean to come after someone in a role or position.
What is a simple synonym for succeed?
For the main sense, come through and win can work in the right context. For the 'take over' sense, come after and follow are better.
Is succeed the same as success?
No. Succeed is a verb meaning to achieve something or to come after someone. Success is the noun for a good result or achievement.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.