verb
succeed
suhk-SEED
verb
1
To achieve a desired goal or outcome.
"She worked hard and finally succeeded in passing the bar exam."
"The negotiations succeeded after months of talks."
2
To take over a position, office, or title after someone else.
"His eldest daughter will succeed him as CEO."
How to Use Succeed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither to achieve what you were trying to do, or to come next and take someone's place.
Common mistake
"Succeed in" doing something (achieving) is different from "succeed to" a title or "succeed" someone (taking their place).
Common pairings
succeed in
succeed the throne
succeed at
Word Forms
succeeded past tense, succeeds singular
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She worked hard and finally _____ in passing the bar exam.
Etymology
From Old French succeder, from Latin succedere ("to come after, take the place of, prosper"), from sub- ("under, next to") plus cedere ("to go, yield").