successful

adjective

sək-ˈses-fəl How to pronounce successful (audio)
Definition of successfulnext
1
as in prosperous
having attained a desired end or state of good fortune the play had a successful run on Broadway

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thriving
marked by vigorous growth and well-being especially economically sold their successful dry-cleaning business and retired to Hawaii

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of successful The real question is whether Congress should build upon the successful regulatory systems states like Connecticut have already developed or replace them with a federal approach that renders years of state policy-making largely irrelevant. — John R. Gordon, Hartford Courant, 19 Aug. 2026 Gianluca Busio to captain Venezia Sporting Kansas City’s most successful academy export is making headlines again in Italy. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026 Arguably the most successful Netflix series franchise expansion to date is Bridgerton spawning a well received prequel in Queen Charlotte, with other prequels, including one about Violet, also being talked about on and off. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026 Technique, muscle, character, and everything that makes a blocker successful. — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for successful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for successful
  1. prosperous
  2. thriving
  3. prospering
  4. golden
Adjective
  • The island’s very existence—a prosperous, democratic Chinese society integrated with the West—offers a stinging rebuke to the claim that authoritarian rule is uniquely suited to the Chinese people.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Memories of paradise Sentir Cubano holds that prosperous paradise so many Cubans remember.
    — Sarah Moreno August 7, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of prosperous
Adjective
  • In an endearing gesture from a multimillionaire who ran a thriving entertainment production company specializing in true-crime shows, McDonnell was coming to offer a sweet form of thanks to the bank’s sales team.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Marie Cervay Hickle of PNC Bank explains how historic and new markets tax credits facilitate adaptive reuse, transforming vacant structures like old mills into thriving apartment communities and revitalizing neighborhoods.
    — Katie Goar, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of thriving
Adjective
  • Wall Street has been treating the two companies very differently over the past year, largely because Alphabet has a prospering cloud business that helps justify its hefty spending.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 5 June 2026
Definition of prospering
Adjective
  • White Water's diminutive cocktail bar has awesome bottled cocktails served in proper glassware that make for the perfect sundowner to carry across the boardwalk to soak up golden hour over the Pacific.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Cook approximately 3-4 minutes per side, until deep golden brown, crispy outside, and cooked through.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of golden

Browse Nearby Words

successes
successful
successfulness
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Cite this Entry

“Successful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/successful. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on successful

Nglish: Translation of successful for Spanish Speakers

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