What does succeeded mean?
Succeeded is the past tense of succeed and is used primarily to state that a desired result or goal was achieved. For example, a method, plan, or attempt succeeded when it worked as intended. The word can also have a more formal sequential meaning: something succeeded by another event when that event comes after it, while a person succeeded another person when taking over a position or responsibility. In its achievement sense, succeeded is usually positive but remains factual and neutral; it reports an outcome without necessarily explaining why it occurred. The word is useful in precise writing because it identifies a completed, successful outcome, as in “the appeal succeeded,” while the related present-tense form succeed describes the process or general capacity. Its ability to express both achievement and succession also reflects its Latin roots and its long history in English.
verbThe past tense of succeed. It means to achieve a desired result or goal; in formal or contextual uses, it can also mean to follow or come after something.
- To achieve the desired result or goal.
- To follow or come after something in time, order, or succession.
"After several revisions, the researchers finally succeeded in demonstrating the effect."
"The new treatment succeeded in reducing the symptoms of the disease."
"The exhibition was succeeded by a series of public discussions."
The word succeeded carries two ideas at once: coming after something and achieving success, a useful reminder that one success can lead to the next.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does succeeded come from?
The word comes from Middle English and was ultimately borrowed from Old French succeder, based on Latin succedere, “to follow, go after, succeed.” Latin succedere was formed from sub-, meaning “under” or “after,” and cedere, meaning “to go.” Its development led to related English forms such as success, successful, succession, successor, and successive, all of which reflect the same underlying ideas of following or achieving a successful outcome.
How succeeded is actually used
In modern general use, succeeded usually reports the achievement of a result: a plan, treatment, or attempt succeeded. The sequential meaning is more formal and often appears in constructions such as succeeded by, succeeded to, or succeeded someone in a role.
Easily confused with succeeded
Preceded means to come before something in time or order, whereas succeeded can mean to follow something, especially in a sequence or succession.