DictionarysucceedTaking over a position
verb

succeed

To follow a predecessor.

The new director succeeds her mentor as head of the museum.

Etymology

The source verb conveys coming after or taking another's place. Succeed preserves that sequence when a new officeholder follows a predecessor.

More examples

  • He succeeded his father as president of the family business.
  • She succeeds to the throne when the king steps down.
  • One generation succeeds another, bringing new ideas and traditions.

Forms

succeed · succeeds · succeeded · succeeding

successor noun — Someone who takes another person's position.

succession noun — The process of taking over a position.

Similar words

replace
Means taking someone's place, without necessarily continuing an established sequence.
follow
Means coming afterward, without necessarily taking over a role.