What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Surpass vs Succeed - What's the difference?

surpass | succeed |

As verbs the difference between surpass and succeed

is that surpass is to go beyond, especially in a metaphoric or technical manner; to exceed while succeed is to follow in order; to come next after; hence, to take the place of.

surpass

English

Verb

(es)
  • To go beyond, especially in a metaphoric or technical manner; to exceed.
  • The former problem student surpassed his instructor's expectations and scored top marks on his examination.
    The heavy rains threatened to surpass the capabilities of the levee, endangering the town on the other side.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1905, author=
  • , title= , chapter=2 citation , passage=“Two or three months more went by?; the public were eagerly awaiting the arrival of this semi-exotic claimant to an English peerage, and sensations, surpassing those of the Tichbourne case, were looked forward to with palpitating interest. […]”}}

    See also

    * exceed * excel * outdo * outstrip

    succeed

    English

    Alternative forms

    * succede (dated)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To follow in order; to come next after; hence, to take the place of.
  • The king's eldest son succeeds his father on the throne.
    Autumn succeeds summer.
  • To obtain the object desired; to accomplish what is attempted or intended; to have a prosperous issue or termination; to be successful.
  • (obsolete, rare) To fall heir to; to inherit.
  • So, if the issue of the elder son succeed before the younger, I am king.
  • To come after; to be subsequent or consequent to; to follow; to pursue.
  • * Sir Thomas Browne
  • Destructive effects succeeded the curse.
  • * 1919 ,
  • Her arms were like legs of mutton, her breasts like giant cabbages; her face, broad and fleshy, gave you an impression of almost indecent nakedness, and vast chin succeeded to vast chin.
  • To support; to prosper; to promote.
  • * Dryden
  • Succeed my wish and second my design.
  • To come in the place of another person, thing, or event; to come next in the usual, natural, or prescribed course of things; to follow; hence, to come next in the possession of anything; -- often with to.
  • # To ascend the throne after the removal the death of the occupant.
  • To descend, as an estate or an heirloom, in the same family; to devolve.
  • To go under cover.
  • Antonyms

    * (follow in order) precede * fail, fall on one's face

    Derived terms

    * nothing succeeds like success * succedent * succeedingly