Succeed vs. Thrive — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 15, 2024
Succeed involves accomplishing a set goal or objective, while thrive refers to overall growth or flourishing in various aspects of life.
Difference Between Succeed and Thrive
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
To succeed typically means achieving a specific aim or performing well in a particular task, such as succeeding in an exam. Whereas, to thrive suggests a more comprehensive, ongoing state of prosperity or development, such as thriving in one's career or personal life.
Success often requires meeting defined criteria or benchmarks, like obtaining a promotion at work. On the other hand, thriving is associated with continuous improvement and well-being across multiple facets, including health, finances, and relationships.
While success can be quantified with tangible results and is often externally recognized, thriving is more subjective and can involve a sense of personal satisfaction and holistic well-being that isn't necessarily measured by external standards.
Succeeding may be a milestone or a series of milestones in a person's academic, professional, or personal journeys. In contrast, thriving implies a sustained and balanced success that permeates various areas of an individual’s life.
Success can be short-term and specific, such as winning a competition. Conversely, thriving suggests long-term stability and growth, reflecting an individual’s overall state rather than isolated achievements.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Achieving a specific goal or set objective.
Growing vigorously and being prosperous.
Scope
Often specific and measurable.
Broad and encompassing multiple areas.
Duration
Can be short-term or long-term.
Usually implies long-term development.
Measurement
Quantifiable outcomes.
Subjective well-being and qualitative growth.
Recognition
Often recognized and validated by others.
More about personal fulfillment and balance.
Compare with Definitions
Succeed
Attain success in some field or activity.
He succeeded in his quest to become a doctor.
Thrive
Prosper; be fortunate or successful.
His business thrived in the first year of operations.
Succeed
Follow after something or someone.
The new CEO succeeded the founder of the company.
Thrive
Grow or develop well or vigorously.
The child thrived in a loving home.
Succeed
To come next in time or order
She fell sick, and what succeeded was an outpouring of concern from her fans.
Thrive
To make steady progress; prosper.
She is thriving at her new school.
Succeed
To replace another in office or position
The prince succeeded to the throne.
Thrive
To bloom or flourish extensively.
The planted saplings thrived in the fertile soil.
Succeed
To accomplish something desired or intended
"Success is counted sweetest / By those who ne'er succeed" (Emily Dickinson).
Thrive
(of a child, animal, or plant) grow or develop well or vigorously
The new baby thrived
Succeed
(Obsolete) To pass to a person by way of inheritance.
Thrive
To grow vigorously; flourish
Some plants thrive in sandy soil.
Succeed
To come after (something) in time or order; follow
Winter succeeds autumn.
Thrive
To be successful or make steady progress; prosper
The town has been thriving on tourism.
Succeed
To come after and take the place of
The heir succeeded the king.
Thrive
To grow or increase stature; to grow vigorously or luxuriantly, to flourish.
Not all animals thrive well in captivity.
To thrive upon hard work
Succeed
(transitive) To follow something in sequence or time.
Autumn succeeds summer.
Thrive
To increase in wealth or success; to prosper, be profitable.
Since expanding in June, the business has really thrived.
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
Thrive
To prosper by industry, economy, and good management of property; to increase in goods and estate; as, a farmer thrives by good husbandry.
Diligence and humility is the way to thrive in the riches of the understanding, as well as in gold.
Succeed
(intransitive) To come after or follow; to be subsequent or consequent; often with to.
Thrive
To prosper in any business; to have increase or success.
O son, why sit we here, each other viewingIdly, while Satan, our great author, thrives?
And so she throve and prospered.
Succeed
(intransitive) 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.
Following the death of his mother, he succeeded to the throne.
So, if the issue of the elder son succeed before the younger, the crown (or: property) falls to me.
Thrive
To increase in bulk or stature; to grow vigorously or luxuriantly, as a plant; to flourish; as, young cattle thrive in rich pastures; trees thrive in a good soil.
Succeed
(intransitive) To ascend the throne after the removal or death of the occupant.
Princess Buttercup succeeded to the throne as queen after King Willoughby died.
Thrive
Grow stronger;
The economy was booming
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.
Thrive
Gain in wealth
Succeed
(intransitive) To prosper or attain success and beneficial results in general.
Voted most likely to succeed
Thrive
Flourish physically; gain strength and vigor.
He thrived despite the harsh weather conditions.
Succeed
To turn out, fare, do (well or ill).
Succeed
(transitive) To support; to prosper; to promote or give success to.
Succeed
(intransitive) To descend, as an estate or an heirloom, in the same family; to devolve; often with to.
Succeed
To fall heir to; to inherit.
Succeed
To go down or near with to.
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.
Succeed
To fall heir to; to inherit.
Succeed
To come after; to be subsequent or consequent to; to follow; to pursue.
Destructive effects . . . succeeded the curse.
Succeed
To support; to prosper; to promote.
Succeed my wish and second my design.
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!
Succeed
To ascend the throne after the removal the death of the occupant.
No woman shall succeed in Salique land.
Succeed
To descend, as an estate or an heirloom, in the same family; to devolve.
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.
Succeed
To go under cover.
Will you to the cooler cave succeed!
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
Succeed
Be the successor (of);
Carter followed Ford
Will Charles succeed to the throne?
Succeed
Achieve the desired aim or result.
She hoped to succeed in her law exam.
Succeed
Come next in time or order.
The cold spring was succeeded by a warm summer.
Succeed
Be the heir or next in line.
She succeeded her father as the company president.
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to thrive in life?
To thrive in life means to grow vigorously, developing well in various aspects such as health, relationships, and career.
Can success be temporary?
Yes, success can be temporary, especially when related to specific events or milestones.
Can one thrive without traditional signs of success?
Yes, one can thrive without traditional signs of success by experiencing personal growth and fulfillment in life’s different areas.
Is thriving dependent on success?
Thriving often includes success but goes beyond it to encompass overall well-being and continuous growth.
How do measures of thriving differ from success?
Measures of thriving are typically more qualitative, focusing on well-being and overall life satisfaction, unlike the often quantitative measures of success.
Can a business thrive without succeeding initially?
Yes, a business can eventually thrive by adapting and overcoming initial setbacks, even if it doesn't succeed initially.
What is necessary for a student to thrive in school?
For a student to thrive, a supportive environment, good health, and engagement in learning are crucial beyond mere academic success.
How can one measure personal thriving?
Personal thriving can be measured by subjective assessments of happiness, satisfaction, and fulfillment in various life domains.
What does it mean to succeed in something?
To succeed in something means achieving a specific goal or performing well within a particular area.
Is it possible to thrive at one's workplace?
Yes, one can thrive at the workplace by fostering positive relationships, continuous learning, and a balance between personal and professional life.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
