succeed
gb/səksˈid/ us/səksˈid/
B1
English
~ 1800
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Achieve a goal or aim
To do what you wanted to do or reach the goal you tried for.
Usage pattern:
to succeed in [doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget to use 'in' before a verb ('He succeeded to win' instead of 'He succeeded in winning').
Synonyms
achieve (Often used for completing specific tasks or objectives, sometimes less personal than 'succeed'.)
|
accomplish (Emphasizes the completion of something, often a task or project.)
Antonyms
fail (Direct opposite; to not achieve the intended goal.)
Collocations
succeed in business
|succeed in life
|succeed against the odds
|succeed where others failed
Themes
work
|education
|personal_development
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She worked hard and finally succeeded in passing the exam.
- The company succeeded in launching its new product on time.
- He succeeded where many others had failed.
- With determination, you can succeed in anything you try.
- They succeeded in persuading him to join the team.
Learner examples
- I want to succeed in school.
- She succeeded in getting the job.
- He succeeded in making a cake.
- They succeeded in winning the game.
Verb
B2
action
2
Take over a role or position
To have a job or position after another person leaves it.
Usage pattern:
to succeed [someone] as [position]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with 'to be successful' and use it incorrectly for achievements instead of role succession.
Synonyms
replace (General term for taking someone's place; less formal than 'succeed' in official contexts.)
|
follow (More general, can mean coming after in time or order without implying authority.)
Antonyms
precede (To come before someone in a position or role.)
Collocations
succeed the king
|succeed her as manager
|succeed to the throne
Themes
business
|politics
|history
|work
Examples
- She will succeed her father as CEO next year.
- He succeeded the previous ambassador after her retirement.
- Charles succeeded his mother to the throne.
- The vice president succeeded the president after his resignation.
Learner examples
- He will succeed her as team leader.
- She succeeded her uncle as king.
- The son succeeded his father as head of the company.
Grammar
Dictionary form
succeed
IPA
GB/səksˈid/
US/səksˈid/
Syllables & stress
suc - ceed (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ceed)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: succeed
- 3rd Person Singular: succeeds
- Present Participle: succeeding
- Past: succeeded
Word family
Forms
succeeds
verb
succeeding
verb
succeeded
verb
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unsuccessful
adjective B1
unsuccessfully
adverb
Expressions
succeed in doing something
1/səksˈid ˈɪn dˈuɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Achieve something through effort
To do something you wanted after trying hard.
Examples
- He finally succeeded in fixing the car.
- They succeeded in solving the problem together.
succeed to the throne
1/səksˈid tə ðə θɹˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
formal
Become king or queen after predecessor
To become king or queen after the last one dies or leaves.
Examples
- He succeeded to the throne after his father's death.
- She succeeded to the throne when her brother stepped down.