1 successful | Definition of successful

successful

adjective
suc·​cess·​ful | \ sÉ™k-ˈses-fÉ™l How to pronounce successful (audio) \

Definition of successful

1 : resulting or terminating in success a successful attempt
2 : gaining or having gained success a successful investor

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Other Words from successful

successfully \ sÉ™k-​ˈses-​fÉ™-​lÄ“ How to pronounce successfully (audio) \ adverb
successfulness noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for successful

Synonyms

flourishing, going, palmy, prosperous, thriving, triumphant

Antonyms

failed, unsuccessful

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Examples of successful in a Sentence

the play had a successful run on Broadway sold their successful dry-cleaning business and retired to Hawaii

Recent Examples on the Web

Jennifer Aniston‘s inspiration for her role in Apple TV+’s The Morning Show came from one of the most successful news anchors ever: Diane Sawyer. Eric Todisco, PEOPLE.com, "Jennifer Aniston Says Diane Sawyer Inspired Her Morning Show Character," 4 Sep. 2019 One of the most successful approaches has been to let a computer decide. Jesse Dunietz, Popular Mechanics, "The Hidden Science of Elevators," 2 Sep. 2019 Perhaps the most successful prediction engine of the Big Data era, at least in financial terms, is the Amazon recommendation algorithm. Hannah Fry, The New Yorker, "What Statistics Can and Can’t Tell Us About Ourselves," 2 Sep. 2019 But studies in several counties show their effort at overhauling the bail system have been successful at achieving two main goals: Making sure people show up for their court dates and reducing recidivism rates. Collette Richards, CNN, "States are trying to change a system that keeps poor people in jail. The bail industry is blocking them.," 30 Aug. 2019 But studies in several counties show their effort at overhauling the bail system have been successful at achieving two main goals: Making sure people show up for their court dates and reducing recidivism rates. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, "States are trying to change a system that keeps poor people in jail. The bail industry is blocking them.," 30 Aug. 2019 Moldova has been more successful at cracking down on driving under the influence. Madeline Roache / Puhoi, Time, "'You’re Not a Person if You Don’t Drink.' How This Tiny European Country Developed the World's Worst Drinking Problem," 29 Aug. 2019 Botswana, arguably Africa’s most successful state, is in unprecedented flux. The Economist, "The battle of Botswana’s big men," 29 Aug. 2019 Trump has been successful at silencing his critics in the Republican Party, who until recently have been reluctant to speak out against him. Los Angeles Times, "Is President Trump falling out of love with Fox News?," 28 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'successful.' 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 successful

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for successful

successful

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of successful

: having the correct or desired result : ending in success
: having gotten or achieved wealth, respect, or fame

successful

adjective
suc·​cess·​ful | \ sÉ™k-ˈses-fÉ™l How to pronounce successful (audio) \

Kids Definition of successful

1 : resulting or ending well or in success My attempt to swim across the harbor was successful.
2 : gaining or having gained success a successful business

Other Words from successful

successfully \ -​fÉ™-​lÄ“ \ adverb

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