succeed

To achieve the result you wanted or planned.

• Our plan succeeded.
• They succeeded in opening the locked door.
• Will the experiment succeed this time?

How to use it: succeed in doing something (We succeeded in finding a cheaper flat.); succeed at something (She succeeded at every task we gave her.)

Similar words: work, achieve success

Opposites: fail

Common phrases: succeed in something, succeed in doing, succeed at something

To do well in your work or life and gain success or recognition.

• She wants to succeed.
• He succeeded as an actor after years of small roles.
• Can anyone succeed in this industry without useful contacts?

How to use it: succeed in something (She wants to succeed in business.); succeed as someone/something (He succeeded as a writer.)

Similar words: do well, prosper, thrive

Opposites: fail

Common phrases: succeed in business, succeed in life, succeed as something

To take someone’s job, position, or title after they leave or die.

• She succeeded her father as director.
• Who will succeed the retiring president?
• The young king succeeded his uncle last spring.

How to use it: succeed someone as something (Maya succeeded Paul as head of the department.)

Similar words: replace, take over from

Common phrases: succeed someone, succeed as president, succeed the king, succeed to something

To come after something else in time or order.

• Winter succeeds autumn.
• A long silence succeeded the announcement.
• Several dry years succeeded the wet summer.

Similar words: follow, come after

Opposites: precede

Common phrases: succeed something, succeed one another