successful
adjective
suc·cess·ful sək-ˈses-fəl 
1
: resulting or terminating in success
a successful attempt
2
: gaining or having gained success
a successful investor
successfully
sək-ˈses-fə-lē
adverb successfulness noun
Synonyms
- flourishing
- going
- palmy
- prosperous
- thriving
- triumphant
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the play had a successful run on Broadway sold their successful dry-cleaning business and retired to Hawaii
Recent Examples on the Web If successful, the priority for the improvements would need to be determined, Freimuth said. 
Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2022 Those late-stage trials in human subjects, if successful, are a precursor to a company applying for a license to sell the vaccine commercially. Fortune, 14 Sep. 2022 If successful, this test could open new doors for research into ways to protect our planet from killer asteroids doing more than just passing by Earth, which scientists believe could be lurking all throughout the universe. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 14 Sep. 2022 The ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive, if successful, could reshape the war and the geopolitical contours of Europe. Rich Lowry, National Review, 13 Sep. 2022 If successful, the village could be expanded to cover up to 40 acres. Blake Apgar, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022 Malpractice lawyers typically work on contingency and receive about a third of settlements or jury awards if successful. Jonathan Saltzman, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2022 Compassion also benefits the sufferer: For example, doctors who are more comfortable around patients in pain may be more successful navigating painful treatment, such as acupuncture. Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2022 This test flight, if successful, would put a crew capsule into lunar orbit for the first time in 50 years. Marcia Dunn, The Enquirer, 29 Aug. 2022 See More
Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2022 Those late-stage trials in human subjects, if successful, are a precursor to a company applying for a license to sell the vaccine commercially. Fortune, 14 Sep. 2022 If successful, this test could open new doors for research into ways to protect our planet from killer asteroids doing more than just passing by Earth, which scientists believe could be lurking all throughout the universe. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 14 Sep. 2022 The ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive, if successful, could reshape the war and the geopolitical contours of Europe. Rich Lowry, National Review, 13 Sep. 2022 If successful, the village could be expanded to cover up to 40 acres. Blake Apgar, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022 Malpractice lawyers typically work on contingency and receive about a third of settlements or jury awards if successful. Jonathan Saltzman, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2022 Compassion also benefits the sufferer: For example, doctors who are more comfortable around patients in pain may be more successful navigating painful treatment, such as acupuncture. Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2022 This test flight, if successful, would put a crew capsule into lunar orbit for the first time in 50 years. Marcia Dunn, The Enquirer, 29 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
successful
adjective
suc·cess·ful sək-ˈses-fəl
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
successfulness
noun
as in success
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- success
- prosperity
- welfare
- healthiness
- health
- soundness
- well-being
- prosperousness
- wholesomeness
- wellness
- robustness
- weal
- fitness
- happiness
- wholeness
- interest
- joy
- benefit
- good
- fortune
- sake
- advantage
- gratification
- felicity
- satisfaction
- contentedness
- bliss
- gain
- content
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unhealthiness
- ill-being
- unsoundness
- unhappiness
- suffering
- misery
- sadness
- wretchedness