achieve

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb achieve contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of achieve are accomplish, discharge, effect, execute, fulfill, and perform. While all these words mean "to carry out or into effect," achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

When might accomplish be a better fit than achieve?

While in some cases nearly identical to achieve, accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

accomplished everything they set out to do

In what contexts can discharge take the place of achieve?

The meanings of discharge and achieve largely overlap; however, discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

discharged his duties

How are the words effect and achieve related?

Effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles.

effected sweeping reforms

When could execute be used to replace achieve?

The words execute and achieve are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

executed the hit-and-run

When is fulfill a more appropriate choice than achieve?

The synonyms fulfill and achieve are sometimes interchangeable, but fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

When would perform be a good substitute for achieve?

In some situations, the words perform and achieve are roughly equivalent. However, perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill.

performed gymnastics

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of achieve Just as runners do yoga to improve their running, training unrelated attention skills makes your main goals easier to achieve. Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025 In May, the Zephyr achieved a new record, maintaining 67 days of flight in the stratosphere. PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025 By enabling developers to deliver quality, entry-level homes at scale, ARCbuild is creating opportunities for a new generation of first-time buyers to achieve long-term stability and ownership. Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025 The effect was achieved through volume capture technology. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for achieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for achieve
Verb
  • This includes today’s conventional AI and the rest of the pathway up to attaining AGI.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • However, building a reputation of enduring trust among connoisseurs is a crown that can only be attained by perseverance.
    Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • With how the rotation was used in Week 1, neither goal was accomplished.
    Mike Kaye September 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • And yet in restructuring Patagonia to ensure that its profits are used to protect wild lands, Chouinard accomplished something remarkable, turning a for-profit corporation with $1 billion in annual sales into one of the biggest environmental philanthropies in the country.
    David Gelles, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Razorbacks won the toss and will receive.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The founders of Ssense have won round one in their battle with their creditors, allowing the company to remain in the hands of chief executive officer Rami Atallah and his brothers Firas and Bassel, who are fighting to remain in business and restructure the company’s operations.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As a result, customers gained 5% more usable capacity on FlashArray and 6% more usable capacity on FlashBlade through a nondisruptive software upgrade.
    Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Arkansas gained 333 yards and gave up 301 yards in a defenseless first half.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Liberation from time and pruning through mass dishwasher ownership is a dream that remainsonly partly fulfilled.
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Half of Walmart’s online orders are fulfilled from stores, with the rest coming from Walmart warehouses and seller warehouses.
    Dan Gingiss, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Raskin cites comments Patel made before being sworn in as FBI director.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • In the press release regarding the official launch of the Program, Impel co-founder and CEO Devin Daly emphasized the impact the companies hope to make by helping industry employees gain the acumen to effectively work alongside AI.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This is when your liver is so scarred up that there’s barely enough normal tissue to perform the routine functions of the liver.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Scientists performed dental exams and took blood samples — participants also filled out dietary questionnaires.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In the clip, the pair execute the moves to the song’s post-chorus, before a bonnet-wearing Colbert pretends to choke on something, causing Gaga to erupt in laughter.
    Stephen Daw, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The current owners tapped architect Chip Bohl and interior designer Louise Copeland to execute a complete interior renovation and construct the north wing.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Achieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/achieve. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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