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
On Friday, the burgeoning pop star shared that in the wake of her whirlwind success, her peers in the music industry have reached out to offer comfort and advice.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 23 June 2024
Each generation cultivates their own emblems of success.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 23 June 2024
Its illustrious alumni include Judith Light, Zachary Quinto and Matt Bomer, and several who have seen success on Broadway in the past year, with acting Tony recognition for Leslie Odom Jr. (Purlie Victorious) and Sarah Pidgeon and Will Brill (both in Stereophonic).
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 June 2024
Hero Neck Wallet Pouch $25 at Amazon Keeping your travel documents and other valuables safe and protected during your adventures is a major key to success, which is why shoppers are looking to the Hero Neck Wallet as their solution.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for success 
Shania Russell, EW.com, 23 June 2024
Each generation cultivates their own emblems of success.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 23 June 2024
Its illustrious alumni include Judith Light, Zachary Quinto and Matt Bomer, and several who have seen success on Broadway in the past year, with acting Tony recognition for Leslie Odom Jr. (Purlie Victorious) and Sarah Pidgeon and Will Brill (both in Stereophonic).
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 June 2024
Hero Neck Wallet Pouch $25 at Amazon Keeping your travel documents and other valuables safe and protected during your adventures is a major key to success, which is why shoppers are looking to the Hero Neck Wallet as their solution.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for success
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'success.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near success
Cite this Entry
“Success.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/success. Accessed 2 Jul. 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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