Succeed vs. Fail — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 8, 2024
Succeed means to achieve desired goals or attain success, whereas fail refers to the inability to achieve intended objectives or meet standards.
Difference Between Succeed and Fail
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Succeed is associated with achieving goals, objectives, or positive outcomes, often resulting from effort, skill, or favorable circumstances. It implies the attainment of a desired state or level, such as succeeding in a career or project. On the other hand, fail denotes the lack of success, often marked by an inability to reach set goals, standards, or expectations. This can occur in various contexts, like failing an exam or a business venture not achieving its aims.
While success is celebrated and often leads to rewards, recognition, or progress, failure is typically seen as a setback or a negative outcome. However, failure can also be a learning opportunity, offering valuable insights for future attempts. Succeeding, in contrast, affirms strategies, efforts, or capabilities, reinforcing confidence and providing a foundation for future achievements.
The criteria for success and failure can vary greatly depending on the context, cultural norms, and individual perspectives. What constitutes success in one scenario may be considered insufficient in another, and similarly, failures can be interpreted differently based on expectations and standards. For instance, narrowly missing a target might be seen as a failure in one context but a near success in another, depending on the level of ambition.
Success often requires persistence, adaptation, and resilience, as initial efforts do not always result in success. Failure, conversely, might necessitate a reevaluation of methods, strategies, or goals, prompting innovation or a change in direction. The dynamic between success and failure is complex, with each potentially leading to the other under different circumstances.
Success and failure are not always mutually exclusive or final; they can be steps in a larger process or journey. An initial failure can lead to future success through lessons learned and improvements made, while success might lead to complacency and eventual failure if not maintained or followed by continued effort and adaptation.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To achieve a desired goal or outcome
To not achieve a desired goal or standard
Associated With
Achievement, success, accomplishment
Lack of success, deficiency, shortfall
Connotations
Positive, rewarding, fulfilling
Negative, disappointing, learning opportunity
Outcomes
Progress, recognition, advancement
Setback, opportunity for growth, reevaluation
Requirements
Persistence, skill, favorable conditions
May result from lack of effort, adverse conditions, or misjudgment
Contextual Variability
Success criteria can vary widely
Failure perceptions can differ greatly
Role in Growth
Reinforces effective strategies, boosts confidence
Provides lessons, necessitates change or innovation
Relationship
Success can lead to further success or failure through complacency
Failure can lead to success through adaptation and resilience
Compare with Definitions
Succeed
To achieve a goal or purpose.
She succeeded in passing the final exam after months of hard work.
Fail
To fall short of a required standard.
The product failed to meet safety regulations.
Succeed
To have a favorable or positive outcome.
The negotiation succeeded, resulting in a beneficial agreement for both parties.
Fail
To be unsuccessful in achieving a goal.
He failed the driving test three times.
Succeed
To attain success or reach a desired outcome.
The startup succeeded beyond expectations.
Fail
To cease to function properly.
The engine failed during the flight, but they managed a safe landing.
Succeed
To follow and prosper.
The new CEO succeeded the founder and led the company to new heights.
Fail
To disappoint or let down.
The final episode failed to live up to fans' high expectations.
Succeed
To come next in time or order.
The golden age of science fiction succeeded the era of pulp magazines.
Fail
To not occur or happen as expected.
The anticipated rain failed to materialize, worsening the drought conditions.
Succeed
To come next in time or order
She fell sick, and what succeeded was an outpouring of concern from her fans.
Fail
Be unsuccessful in achieving one's goal
They failed to be ranked in the top ten
He failed in his attempt to secure election
Succeed
To replace another in office or position
The prince succeeded to the throne.
Fail
Neglect to do something
The firm failed to give adequate risk warnings
Succeed
To accomplish something desired or intended
"Success is counted sweetest / By those who ne'er succeed" (Emily Dickinson).
Fail
Cease to work properly; break down
A lorry whose brakes had failed
Succeed
(Obsolete) To pass to a person by way of inheritance.
Fail
A mark which is not high enough to pass an examination or test
A fail grade
Succeed
To come after (something) in time or order; follow
Winter succeeds autumn.
Fail
A mistake, failure, or instance of poor performance
His first product demo was full of fail
Their customer service is a massive fail
Succeed
To come after and take the place of
The heir succeeded the king.
Fail
To prove deficient or lacking; perform ineffectively or inadequately
Failed to fulfill their promises.
Failed in their attempt to reach the summit.
Succeed
(transitive) To follow something in sequence or time.
Autumn succeeds summer.
Fail
To be unsuccessful
An experiment that failed.
Succeed
(transitive) To replace or supplant someone in order vis-à-vis an office, position, or title.
The king's eldest son succeeds his father on the throne.
After a contentious election, Jones succeeded Smith as president of the republic.
Take the place of
Fail
To be unsuccessful in being acted upon
An idea that failed to be accepted by the board.
Succeed
(intransitive) To come after or follow; to be subsequent or consequent; often with to.
Fail
To receive an academic grade below the acceptable minimum.
Succeed
(intransitive) To prevail in obtaining an intended objective or accomplishment; to prosper as a result or conclusion of a particular effort.
The persecution of any righteous practice has never succeeded in the face of history; in fact, it can expedite the collapse of the persecutory regime.
She succeeded in her efforts to repair the tank.
Fail
To prove insufficient in quantity or duration; give out
The water supply failed during the drought.
Succeed
(intransitive) To prosper or attain success and beneficial results in general.
Voted most likely to succeed
Fail
To decline, as in strength or effectiveness
The light began to fail.
Succeed
To turn out, fare, do (well or ill).
Fail
To cease functioning properly
The engine failed.
Succeed
(transitive) To support; to prosper; to promote or give success to.
Fail
To give way or be made otherwise useless as a result of excessive strain
The rusted girders failed and caused the bridge to collapse.
Succeed
(intransitive) To descend, as an estate or an heirloom, in the same family; to devolve; often with to.
Fail
To become bankrupt or insolvent
Their business failed during the last recession.
Succeed
To fall heir to; to inherit.
Fail
To disappoint or prove undependable to
Our sentries failed us.
Succeed
To go down or near with to.
Fail
To abandon; forsake
His strength failed him.
Succeed
To follow in order; to come next after; hence, to take the place of; as, the king's eldest son succeeds his father on the throne; autumn succeeds summer.
As he saw him nigh succeed.
Fail
To omit to perform (an expected duty, for example)
We must not fail our obligation to the earthquake victims.
Succeed
To fall heir to; to inherit.
Fail
To leave undone; neglect
Failed to wash the dishes.
Succeed
To come after; to be subsequent or consequent to; to follow; to pursue.
Destructive effects . . . succeeded the curse.
Fail
To receive an academic grade below the acceptable minimum in (a course, for example)
Failed algebra twice.
Succeed
To support; to prosper; to promote.
Succeed my wish and second my design.
Fail
To give such a grade of failure to (a student)
Failed me in algebra.
Succeed
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.
If the father left only daughters, they equally succeeded to him in copartnership.
Enjoy till I returnShort pleasures; for long woes are to succeed!
Fail
To be detected by (a drug test) as having used a banned substance.
Succeed
To descend, as an estate or an heirloom, in the same family; to devolve.
Fail
A failing grade
The student received a fail on the final paper.
Succeed
To obtain the object desired; to accomplish what is attempted or intended; to have a prosperous issue or termination; to be successful; as, he succeeded in his plans; his plans succeeded.
It is almost impossible for poets to succeed without ambition.
Spenser endeavored it in Shepherd's Kalendar; but neither will it succeed in English.
Fail
(Informal) Something that does not achieve the desired result; a failure
My first attempt to make flourless cookies was a big fail.
Succeed
To go under cover.
Will you to the cooler cave succeed!
Fail
(intransitive) To be unsuccessful.
Throughout my life, I have always failed.
Succeed
Attain success or reach a desired goal;
The enterprise succeeded
We succeeded in getting tickets to the show
She struggled to overcome her handicap and won
Fail
(transitive) Not to achieve a particular stated goal. (Usage note: The direct object of this word is usually an infinitive.)
The truck failed to start.
Succeed
Be the successor (of);
Carter followed Ford
Will Charles succeed to the throne?
Fail
(transitive) To neglect.
The report fails to take into account all the mitigating factors.
Fail
(intransitive) Of a machine, etc.: to cease to operate correctly.
After running five minutes, the engine failed.
Fail
(transitive) To be wanting to, to be insufficient for, to disappoint, to desert; to disappoint one's expectations.
Fail
(ambitransitive) To receive one or more non-passing grades in academic pursuits.
I failed English last year.
Fail
(transitive) To give a student a non-passing grade in an academic endeavour.
The professor failed me because I did not complete any of the course assignments.
Fail
To miss attaining; to lose.
Fail
To be wanting; to fall short; to be or become deficient in any measure or degree up to total absence.
The crops failed last year.
Fail
(archaic) To be affected with want; to come short; to lack; to be deficient or unprovided; used with of.
Fail
(archaic) To fall away; to become diminished; to decline; to decay; to sink.
Fail
(archaic) To deteriorate in respect to vigour, activity, resources, etc.; to become weaker.
A sick man fails.
Fail
(obsolete) To perish; to die; used of a person.
Fail
(obsolete) To err in judgment; to be mistaken.
Fail
To become unable to meet one's engagements; especially, to be unable to pay one's debts or discharge one's business obligation; to become bankrupt or insolvent.
Fail
(slang) A failure condition of being unsuccessful.
Fail
A failure something incapable of success.
Fail
A failure, especially of a financial transaction a termination of an action.
Fail
A failing grade in an academic examination.
Fail
Poor quality; substandard workmanship.
The project was full of fail.
Fail
A piece of turf cut from grassland.
Fail
Unsuccessful; inadequate; unacceptable in some way.
Fail
To be wanting; to fall short; to be or become deficient in any measure or degree up to total absence; to cease to be furnished in the usual or expected manner, or to be altogether cut off from supply; to be lacking; as, streams fail; crops fail.
As the waters fail from the sea.
Till Lionel's issue fails, his should not reign.
Fail
To be affected with want; to come short; to lack; to be deficient or unprovided; - used with of.
If ever they fail of beauty, this failure is not be attributed to their size.
Fail
To fall away; to become diminished; to decline; to decay; to sink.
When earnestly they seekSuch proof, conclude they then begin to fail.
Fail
To deteriorate in respect to vigor, activity, resources, etc.; to become weaker; as, a sick man fails.
Fail
To perish; to die; - used of a person.
Had the king in his last sickness failed.
Fail
To be found wanting with respect to an action or a duty to be performed, a result to be secured, etc.; to miss; not to fulfill expectation.
Take heed now that ye fail not to do this.
Either my eyesight fails, or thou look'st pale.
Fail
To come short of a result or object aimed at or desired ; to be baffled or frusrated.
Our envious foe hath failed.
Fail
To err in judgment; to be mistaken.
Which ofttimes may succeed, so as perhapsShall grieve him, if I fail not.
Fail
To become unable to meet one's engagements; especially, to be unable to pay one's debts or discharge one's business obligation; to become bankrupt or insolvent; as, many credit unions failed in the late 1980's.
Fail
To be wanting to ; to be insufficient for; to disappoint; to desert.
There shall not fail thee a man on the throne.
Fail
To miss of attaining; to lose.
Though that seat of earthly bliss be failed.
Fail
Miscarriage; failure; deficiency; fault; - mostly superseded by failure or failing, except in the phrase without fail.
Fail
Fail to do something; leave something undone;
She failed to notice that her child was no longer in his crib
The secretary failed to call the customer and the company lost the account
Fail
Be unsuccessful;
Where do today's public schools fail?
The attempt to rescue the hostages failed miserably
Fail
Disappoint, prove undependable to; abandon, forsake;
His sense of smell failed him this time
His strength finally failed him
His children failed him in the crisis
Fail
Stop operating or functioning;
The engine finally went
The car died on the road
The bus we travelled in broke down on the way to town
The coffee maker broke
The engine failed on the way to town
Her eyesight went after the accident
Fail
Be unable;
I fail to understand your motives
Fail
Judge unacceptable;
The teacher failed six students
Fail
Fail to get a passing grade;
She studied hard but failed nevertheless
Did I fail the test?
Fail
Fall short in what is expected;
She failed in her obligations as a good daughter-in-law
We must not fail his obligation to the victims of the Holocaust
Fail
Become bankrupt or insolvent; fail financially and close;
The toy company went bankrupt after the competition hired cheap Mexican labor
A number of banks failed that year
Fail
Prove insufficient;
The water supply for the town failed after a long drought
Fail
Get worse;
Her health is declining
Common Curiosities
Is success always final?
Success is not always final; it can be a step in a process that requires maintenance, adaptation, and continuous effort to sustain.
Can failure lead to success?
Yes, failure can lead to success by providing valuable lessons, insights, and opportunities for growth and improvement.
How do criteria for success and failure vary?
Criteria for success and failure can vary greatly depending on the context, goals, and standards set by individuals, organizations, or cultures.
What role does resilience play in success and failure?
Resilience plays a crucial role in both success and failure, enabling individuals to persevere through challenges and setbacks.
What does it mean to succeed?
To succeed means to achieve a desired goal, outcome, or level of success, often through effort and skill.
What does it mean to fail?
To fail means not to achieve an intended goal, standard, or expectation, often resulting in a perceived negative outcome.
How can one's perspective affect the interpretation of success and failure?
Individual perspectives, cultural norms, and contextual factors can significantly influence how success and failure are interpreted and valued.
Is it possible to succeed without ever failing?
While possible, succeeding without ever failing is rare, as failure often provides important lessons and opportunities for growth.
Can one experience both success and failure simultaneously?
Yes, it's possible to experience both success and failure simultaneously in different aspects of a task or project.
How should one respond to failure?
Responding to failure with reflection, adaptation, and perseverance can turn setbacks into stepping stones for future success.
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Predict vs. ForecastAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
