Success vs. Succeed: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Success" is the achievement of a goal or objective, while "succeed" is the action or process of achieving success.
Key Differences
"Success" is a noun that refers to the favorable outcome of an endeavor or the achievement of goals. It is the end result of efforts, often associated with positive outcomes and accomplishments. In contrast, "succeed" is a verb that describes the action or process of achieving success. It implies action and the process of striving towards a goal.
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Nov 28, 2023
"Success" can be used in various contexts, such as personal, professional, or academic achievements. It often conveys a sense of completion and fulfillment. "Succeed," however, is about the journey or the act of reaching that point of success. It focuses on the effort, strategy, and process involved in achieving a goal.
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Nov 28, 2023
The concept of "success" varies widely among individuals and cultures, encompassing achievements in various fields. It is often used to signify the attainment of wealth, status, or fame. On the other hand, "succeed" is a more universal term, referring to the act of overcoming challenges and meeting objectives, regardless of the specific nature of the success.
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Nov 28, 2023
In terms of usage, "success" is often quantified or described using adjectives and can be subjective based on individual or societal standards. "Succeed" is used with subjects to indicate who is accomplishing or striving to accomplish a goal, focusing more on the action than the outcome.
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"Success" can be a standalone achievement or a series of achievements, whereas "succeed" suggests a continuing effort or progression. "Success" marks a destination or a point of achievement, while "succeed" emphasizes the movement towards that destination.
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Nov 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun (refers to the achievement)
Verb (describes the action of achieving)
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Contextual Application
Varies (personal, professional, academic)
Universal (any act of striving towards a goal)
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Nov 28, 2023
Temporal Perspective
Often denotes a completed action or achieved state
Suggests ongoing effort or movement towards a goal
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Nov 28, 2023
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Success and Succeed Definitions
Success
The accomplishment of an aim or purpose.
His success in the examination was due to hard work.
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Succeed
Achieve the desired aim or result.
She worked hard to succeed in her career.
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Nov 28, 2023
Success
A person or thing that achieves desired aims or attains fame, wealth, etc.
The new product was a success in the market.
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Succeed
Take over a throne, office, or other position from someone.
He will succeed his father as the company's CEO.
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Success
The favorable outcome of something attempted.
The success of the event was evident from the attendees' reactions.
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Succeed
To manage to accomplish something, typically a difficult task or action.
Despite the challenges, she succeeded in completing the project.
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Success
The achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted
Attributed their success in business to hard work.
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Oct 19, 2023
Succeed
To follow after something or someone.
The sequel succeeded the original film in the series.
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Succeed
To come next in time or order
She fell sick, and what succeeded was an outpouring of concern from her fans.
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Oct 19, 2023
Succeed
To replace another in office or position
The prince succeeded to the throne.
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Oct 19, 2023
Succeed
To accomplish something desired or intended
"Success is counted sweetest / By those who ne'er succeed" (Emily Dickinson).
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Oct 19, 2023
Success
The achievement of one's aim or goal.
His third attempt to pass the entrance exam was a success.
A glowing success
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Oct 19, 2023
Succeed
To come after (something) in time or order; follow
Winter succeeds autumn.
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Success
(business) Financial profitability.
Don't let success go to your head.
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Success
One who, or that which, achieves assumed goals.
Scholastically, he was a success.
The new range of toys has been a resounding success.
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Oct 19, 2023
Succeed
(transitive) To follow something in sequence or time.
Autumn succeeds summer.
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Success
The fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame.
She is country music's most recent success.
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Succeed
(transitive) To replace or supplant someone in order vis-à-vis an office, position, or title.
The king's eldest son succeeds his father on the throne.
After a contentious election, Jones succeeded Smith as president of the republic.
Take the place of
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Oct 19, 2023
Success
(obsolete) Something which happens as a consequence; the outcome or result.
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Succeed
(intransitive) To come after or follow; to be subsequent or consequent; often with to.
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Oct 19, 2023
Success
Act of succeeding; succession.
Then all the sons of these five brethren reignedBy due success.
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Oct 19, 2023
Succeed
(intransitive) To come in the place of another person, thing, or event; to come next in the usual, natural, or prescribed course of things; to follow; hence, to come next in the possession of anything; often with to.
Following the death of his mother, he succeeded to the throne.
So, if the issue of the elder son succeed before the younger, the crown (or: property) falls to me.
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Success
That which comes after; hence, consequence, issue, or result, of an endeavor or undertaking, whether good or bad; the outcome of effort.
Men . . . that are like to do that, that is committed to them, and to report back again faithfully the success.
Perplexed and troubled at his bad successThe tempter stood.
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Succeed
(intransitive) To ascend the throne after the removal or death of the occupant.
Princess Buttercup succeeded to the throne as queen after King Willoughby died.
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Success
The favorable or prosperous termination of anything attempted; the attainment of a proposed object; prosperous issue.
Dream of success and happy victory!
Or teach with more success her sonThe vices of the time to shun.
Military successes, above all others, elevate the minds of a people.
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Oct 19, 2023
Succeed
(intransitive) To prevail in obtaining an intended objective or accomplishment; to prosper as a result or conclusion of a particular effort.
The persecution of any righteous practice has never succeeded in the face of history; in fact, it can expedite the collapse of the persecutory regime.
She succeeded in her efforts to repair the tank.
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Oct 19, 2023
Success
That which meets with, or one who accomplishes, favorable results, as a play or a player.
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Oct 19, 2023
Succeed
(intransitive) To prosper or attain success and beneficial results in general.
Voted most likely to succeed
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Success
An event that accomplishes its intended purpose;
Let's call heads a success and tails a failure
The election was a remarkable success for Republicans
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Oct 19, 2023
Success
An attainment that is successful;
His success in the marathon was unexpected
His new play was a great success
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Succeed
(transitive) To support; to prosper; to promote or give success to.
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Success
A state of prosperity or fame;
He is enjoying great success
He does not consider wealth synonymous with success
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Oct 19, 2023
Succeed
(intransitive) To descend, as an estate or an heirloom, in the same family; to devolve; often with to.
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Oct 19, 2023
Success
A person with a record of successes;
His son would never be the achiever that his father was
Only winners need apply
If you want to be a success you have to dress like a success
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Oct 19, 2023
Success
The achievement of a goal or objective.
Winning the championship was a great success for the team.
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Success
Attainment of popularity or profit.
Her business venture turned out to be a huge success.
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Succeed
To follow in order; to come next after; hence, to take the place of; as, the king's eldest son succeeds his father on the throne; autumn succeeds summer.
As he saw him nigh succeed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Succeed
To come after; to be subsequent or consequent to; to follow; to pursue.
Destructive effects . . . succeeded the curse.
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Oct 19, 2023
Succeed
To support; to prosper; to promote.
Succeed my wish and second my design.
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Oct 19, 2023
Succeed
To come in the place of another person, thing, or event; to come next in the usual, natural, or prescribed course of things; to follow; hence, to come next in the possession of anything; - often with to.
If the father left only daughters, they equally succeeded to him in copartnership.
Enjoy till I returnShort pleasures; for long woes are to succeed!
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Oct 19, 2023
Succeed
To ascend the throne after the removal the death of the occupant.
No woman shall succeed in Salique land.
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Oct 19, 2023
Succeed
To descend, as an estate or an heirloom, in the same family; to devolve.
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Oct 19, 2023
Succeed
To obtain the object desired; to accomplish what is attempted or intended; to have a prosperous issue or termination; to be successful; as, he succeeded in his plans; his plans succeeded.
It is almost impossible for poets to succeed without ambition.
Spenser endeavored it in Shepherd's Kalendar; but neither will it succeed in English.
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Oct 19, 2023
Succeed
Attain success or reach a desired goal;
The enterprise succeeded
We succeeded in getting tickets to the show
She struggled to overcome her handicap and won
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Succeed
Be the successor (of);
Carter followed Ford
Will Charles succeed to the throne?
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Oct 19, 2023
Succeed
Come after and take the place of.
The new model succeeded the previous version.
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Nov 28, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can organizations "succeed"?
Yes, organizations can succeed in their objectives or missions.
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Nov 28, 2023
Does "success" always come from hard work?
Often, but not always, as success can result from various factors.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can "succeed" refer to taking over a position?
Yes, "succeed" can mean taking over a position or role.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can "success" be accidental?
Sometimes, success can occur without deliberate planning.
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Nov 28, 2023
Does "succeed" imply a successor?
In certain contexts, "succeed" can imply someone taking over a role.
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Nov 28, 2023
Is "success" always about wealth or fame?
No, "success" can be about personal fulfillment, not just wealth or fame.
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Nov 28, 2023
Is "success" a subjective concept?
Yes, "success" can be subjective and varies from person to person.
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Is "succeed" a process or a one-time event?
It can be both, depending on the context.
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Is "succeed" only used in positive contexts?
Mostly, but "succeed" can be used in neutral or varied contexts.
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Does "succeed" require effort?
Typically, yes, as it involves the process of achieving.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can "success" be temporary?
Yes, success can be seen as a momentary achievement.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can "succeed" be used in academic contexts?
Yes, such as succeeding in exams or academic pursuits.
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Nov 28, 2023
Is "succeed" used in legal contexts?
Yes, such as in succession law or inheritance.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can "success" be collective?
Yes, groups or teams can achieve success together.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can "success" change over time?
Yes, as goals and values evolve, so can the meaning of success.
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Nov 28, 2023
Does "succeed" imply continuity?
It can, especially in contexts of succession or ongoing effort.
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Nov 28, 2023
Does "success" have different meanings in different cultures?
Yes, cultural values can influence the definition of success.
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Nov 28, 2023
Does "succeed" always mean replacing someone?
No, "succeed" can also mean achieving a goal independently.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can "success" be in small things?
Yes, success can be found in small achievements or steps.
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Nov 28, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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