succeed

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suc·ceed / səkˈsēd/ • v. 1. [intr.] achieve what one aims or wants to: he succeeded in winning a pardon. ∎  (of a plan, request, or undertaking) lead to the desired result: a mission which could not possibly succeed.2. [tr.] take over a throne, inheritance, office, or other position from: he would succeed Hawke as prime minister. ∎  [intr.] become the new rightful holder of an inheritance, office, title, or property: he succeeded to his father's kingdom. ∎  come after and take the place of: her embarrassment was succeeded by fear.DERIVATIVES: suc·ceed·er n. ( archaic ).