succeed
10 synonyms and 3 antonyms for succeed, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To achieve a desired goal or outcome.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use succeed
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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").
Full origin of succeed →Frequently asked questions
What does “succeed” mean?
The word “succeed” means to achieve a desired goal or outcome. In plain terms, either to achieve what you were trying to do, or to come next and take someone's place.
How do you pronounce “succeed”?
“Succeed” is pronounced suhk-SEED (/səkˈsiːd/ in IPA).
How do you use “succeed” in a sentence?
Here is “succeed” used in a sentence: “She worked hard and finally succeeded in passing the bar exam.”
What is another word for “succeed”?
Words with a similar meaning to “succeed” include flourish, ensue, follow and follow on.
What is the opposite of “succeed”?
The opposite of “succeed” — its antonyms — are precede, fail and fall on one's face.
What part of speech is “succeed”?
“Succeed” is a verb.
Where does the word “succeed” come from?
The word “succeed” comes from Latin. 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").
Is “succeed” a common word?
“Succeed” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between the two meanings of "succeed"?
"Succeed" has two distinct senses: to achieve a desired goal or outcome, as in "she succeeded in passing the exam," and to take over a position or title after someone else, as in "he succeeded his father as king." Context and often the preposition make clear which is meant.
What preposition follows "succeed"?
When "succeed" means to achieve something, it is followed by "in" plus a noun or -ing form, as in "succeed in business" or "succeed in finishing." When it means to follow into a role, it is followed by "to," as in "succeed to the throne."
What is the difference between "succeed" and "precede"?
To succeed can mean to come after or take over from someone, while to precede means to come before them. A monarch who succeeds another follows them, whereas the one who preceded came earlier.
What is the difference between "succeed" and "achieve"?
"Succeed" means to reach a desired goal and is usually intransitive, often paired with "in," as in "he succeeded." "Achieve" is transitive and takes a direct object, as in "he achieved his goal," naming the specific thing accomplished.