1
a
: degree or measure of succeeding
b
: favorable or desired outcome
also
: the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence
2
: one that succeeds
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.
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
During this time, Katie developed a deep understanding of how branding can influence a business’s success.
—Grace Butler, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
By prioritizing this level of detail, customer success teams can tailor their approach and build trust from day one.
—Paul Holder, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Considering the Guardians’ success in developing pitchers, the trade ultimately might prove a steal.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
His remit does not extend to the fragrance and cosmetics, or jewelry and watches divisions, which have different business models, said Pavlovsky, who emphasized that teamwork was key to Chanel’s continued success.
—WWD, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for success 
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Grace Butler, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
By prioritizing this level of detail, customer success teams can tailor their approach and build trust from day one.
—Paul Holder, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Considering the Guardians’ success in developing pitchers, the trade ultimately might prove a steal.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
His remit does not extend to the fragrance and cosmetics, or jewelry and watches divisions, which have different business models, said Pavlovsky, who emphasized that teamwork was key to Chanel’s continued success.
—WWD, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for success
Dictionary Entries Near success
Cite this Entry
“Success.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/success. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
success
noun
suc·cess
sək-ˈses 
1
a
: degree or measure of succeeding
b
: satisfactory completion of something
c
: the gaining of wealth, respect, or fame
2
: a person or thing that succeeds
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