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success

noun
suc·​cess | \ sÉ™k-ˈses How to pronounce success (audio) \

Definition of success

1a : degree or measure of succeeding
b : favorable or desired outcome also : the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence
2 : one that succeeds
3 obsolete : outcome, result
Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about success

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Examples of success in a Sentence

An enormous popular and critical success, The Liars' Club was credited with (or blamed for) launching a new wave of memoir-writing. (Karr deflects this accusation: "I think memoir started with St. Augustine," she told Salon in 1997.) — Mollie Wilson O'Reilly, Commonweal, 23 Oct. 2009 Fred tries to keep up his end of the conversation, but without much success; he has never grown bulbs, cooked veal, seen a film by Fassbinder, etc. He feels provincial and out of it … — Alison Lurie, Foreign Affairs, 2006 Since I was interested in finding out about the successes as well as the failures disabled women experience in the world, I interviewed women who had some work experience, although it was often part-time work and sometimes interrupted. — Mary Grimley Mason, Working Against Odds, 2004 The necessaries of life for man in this climate may, accurately enough, be distributed under the several heads of Food, Shelter, Clothing, and Fuel; for not till we have secured these are we prepared to entertain the true problems of life with freedom and a prospect of success. — Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854 Success came easily to him. She is country music's most recent success. The growth of the tourism industry is one of the city's great successes.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The prison divestment push at Harvard, which has the largest endowment in academia, is just one in a series of similar movements that have been playing out on college campuses across the country — with varying success. — NBC News, "'An uphill battle': Harvard students urge school to pull investments that support prisons," 3 Sep. 2019 The success or failure of water markets is largely shaped by unique state and regional water laws, hydrology, agricultural practices and goals. — Lucas Isakowitz, Time, "How to Save the Colorado River from Climate Change and Chronic Overuse," 3 Sep. 2019 One is enough for me since my little girl is so amazing and laser-focussed on fiscal success. — Ginny Hogan, The New Yorker, "As the Father of a Daughter, It Upsets Me That Women Don’t Get Paid as Much as Men, Because Who Will Support Me in My Old Age?," 3 Sep. 2019 Louisville's success with the game plan can be credited to a number of things. — Cameron Teague Robinson, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville's running game shines in Scott Satterfield's debut despite loss to Notre Dame," 3 Sep. 2019 The awards would be given based on financial need, the likelihood of success and the use of sustainable best practices. — Scott Bauer, Twin Cities, "Proposals designed to help struggling Wisconsin farmers," 3 Sep. 2019 The film and book series received phenomenal global success, and have also sparked international debates over the past two decades. — Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, "Nashville school bans "Harry Potter" series, citing risk of "conjuring evil spirits"," 2 Sep. 2019 On one side were all the personal and collective successes that made 2018 so special. — Rich Campbell, chicagotribune.com, "Matt Nagy’s balancing act: How the Coach of the Year blended success, failure and an epic offseason itinerary into his message to the 2019 Bears," 2 Sep. 2019 Each team will have its share of talented runners looking to achieve team and individual success. — La Cañada Valley Sun, "Cross-Country Season Preview: La Cañada aims to challenge top spot in league," 2 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'success.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of success

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 3

History and Etymology for success

Latin successus, from succedere — see succeed

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More Definitions for success

success

noun
How to pronounce success (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of success

: the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame
: the correct or desired result of an attempt
: someone or something that is successful : a person or thing that succeeds

See the full definition for success in the English Language Learners Dictionary

success

noun
suc·​cess | \ sÉ™k-ˈses How to pronounce success (audio) \

Kids Definition of success

1 : satisfactory completion of something But you must, when you are calculating the odds of the mouse's success, factor in his love for the princess.— Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux
2 : the gaining of wealth, respect, or fame
3 : a person or thing that succeeds The show was a success.

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More from Merriam-Webster on success

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with success

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for success

Spanish Central: Translation of success

Nglish: Translation of success for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of success for Arabic Speakers

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