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 Yet the narrative of achieving power independently from magical technology is actually also quite Voldemortian. Literary Hub, 26 June 2025 Flagg also secured both ACC Player and Rookie of the Year awards, a feat achieved by only one other Duke player previously (Williamson). Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025 The 2025 Toyota Camry achieves a whopping 53 miles per gallon in the city and 50 miles per gallon on the highway. Charles Singh, USA Today, 26 June 2025 Instead, studies suggest that, in practice, work and other eligibility requirements achieve a lot of savings in a sort of sneaky way. Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for achieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for achieve
Verb
  • These are only a few examples of the deep ties between higher education and the founding generation; approximately half of them attained some form of it—an impressively high level of advanced learning for the time.
    Time, Time, 1 July 2025
  • Radar provides real-time reads on inventory continuously, and the kind of data that otherwise would only attained online through e-commerce.
    David Moin, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • But Penn State, which licenses intellectual property to create vintage and throwback apparel, won.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 July 2025
  • After a second-place finish in District 6-5A, the Mustangs won four playoff series, finishing the season with a 25-13 record.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The Aperol spritz has gained a reputation for being a healthier alternative to other cocktails.
    Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 5 July 2025
  • But that brief overlap sparked a lifelong friendship, and Gallagher watched from afar over the years as Brewer gained prominence in the San Diego legal community.
    Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Committee Chairman Tim Walberg, R-Mich., first sent a letter to Schill to testify in April, accusing Northwestern of failing to fulfill its commitment to protect Jewish students.
    Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • Many hotels in the city are required to have clean-air transportation as part of their development agreement, which ATN fulfills.
    Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Known for her directness and honesty with players, the former Netherlands international makes decisions based on what is best for the team.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • Flowering dogwood makes a gorgeous specimen growing one to two feet per year and maturing at 15 to 25 feet tall and wide.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Most American metropolises perform well in the report’s measure of disposable income, particularly San Francisco (No. 3), Boston (No. 7), and Chicago (No. 8).
    Greg McKenna, Fortune, 27 June 2025
  • The English singer is also set to perform at the festival Saturday evening.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The Treaty was executed by both the colonies and Great Britain, as well as by the other countries that had participated in the conflict.
    Michael Peregrine, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • For aspiring entrepreneurs, the platform provides a roadmap—from evaluating whether an idea is viable and profitable, to determining the necessary steps and legal requirements to operate in specific markets, and how to successfully execute the business plan.
    Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The way to do it is with judicious use of strong contrast colours, and that’s exactly what Nike has done here, with those pinks, blues and reds underneath the armpits and down the side of the shorts.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • Accor, which owns the Orient Express brand with LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, says a lot of it has to do with the training of its staff and the design, for which award-winning artist and architect Hugo Toro made bespoke Art Deco-era pieces constructed to mirror the group’s train.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Achieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/achieve. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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