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 This week’s truce buys Xi time to achieve further tech breakthroughs. Andy Browne, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2025 Everything is being done, everywhere, to achieve this, under the leadership of the Paris prosecutor's office. Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025 Likewise, William's band Paramore achieved massive success in the 2000s and early 2010s, sustaining a dedicated fan base ever since. Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025 Earlier this month, Dean achieved a rare double for a British artist with concurrent No. 1s on the aforementioned charts. Thomas Smith, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for achieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for achieve
Verb
  • The storm hit 75 mph winds to attain hurricane status on Saturday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center said.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
  • In other words, the goonstate, so central to the subculture’s branding and self-conception, is only rarely attained.
    Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This sort of commercial imagery has accomplished something truly new, something the CORONA engineers could only have dreamed about.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The logistical feat those intrepid women accomplished staggers the mind of any contemporary author.
    Adrian Miller, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Here are luckiest numbers, places to play Did anyone win Powerball last night, October 25, 2025?
    Chris Sims, IndyStar, 26 Oct. 2025
  • By sticking with judo, Harrison won gold at the 2012 Olympics and again at the 2016 Olympics.
    Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With the brothers being seven years apart in age, James got his start as an actor first, gaining recognition with his breakthrough role in the TV series Freaks and Geeks from 1999 to 2000, and then for playing Harry Osborn in the Spider-Man trilogy, starring Tobey Maguire.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Angelo then turned his sights toward Bolgheri, which had just begun to gain acclaim as the center of the Super Tuscan movement.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The experiment discovered that AI could fulfill this role quite well.
    François Candelon, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
  • As a result of the deal, LSU may need to fulfill the $54 million buyout.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The interaction was made even more awkward by the fact that Shannon was already standing right there with arms wide open in anticipation of a warm, cleansing embrace.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Filling your home with a strong artificial scent — or any scent for that matter — has the potential to turn off some buyers and make your house less appealing, according to a recent report from House Beautiful.
    Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Directed by British filmmaker and frequent collaborator Nick Wickham (Madonna, Shakira) the film will chronicle the album’s release date unveiling at the intimate Troxy nightclub in London, where the goth rock legends performed the entire record for the first and only time to date.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2025
  • When the immune system ages, immune cells become less able to perform crucial functions like fighting infection, destroying cancer cells and healing wounds, according to Rhodes, who is also the CEO and co-founder of Mimio Health in San Francisco.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Pic follows the young protégé of a legendary crime boss, secretly an undercover cop, who is executed before revealing a file that exposes the city’s entire web of corruption.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Hudson, though, reserves her praise for the 16,000 people who execute the organization’s global mission.
    Angelique Jackson, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Achieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/achieve. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on achieve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!