accomplish

verb

ac·​com·​plish ə-ˈkäm-plish  -ˈkəm- 

accomplished; accomplishing; accomplishes

transitive verb

1

: to bring about (a result) by effort

have much to accomplish today

2

: to bring to completion : fulfill

accomplish a job

3

: to succeed in reaching (a stage in a progression)

… would starve before accomplishing half the distance …

—W. H. Hudson †1922

4

archaic

a

: to equip thoroughly

b

: perfect

accomplishable

ə-ˈkäm-pli-shə-bəl 

-ˈkəm-

adjective

accomplisher noun

Synonyms of accomplish

• achieve
• fulfill
• perform
• execute
• do
• make
• implement

Choose the Right Synonym for accomplish

perform, execute, discharge, accomplish, achieve, effect, fulfill mean to carry out or into effect.

perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill.

performed gymnastics

execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

executed the hit-and-run

discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

discharged his duties

accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

accomplished everything they set out to do

achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

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

effected sweeping reforms

fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

Examples of accomplish in a Sentence

There are several different ways to accomplish the same task.

Exactly what he thought he would accomplish is unclear.

Recent Examples on the Web

The biggest storyline this weekend will be how Rory McIlroy manages his quest for a second straight Masters title, a feat only three others have accomplished in the 90-year history of the tournament. —Stan Awtrey, AJC.com, 11 Apr. 2026

Now, after having accomplished that — bringing in about $2,400 last year for the American Cancer Society — the college student upped the ante and set herself a new goal of biking 300 miles this April and raising $5,000. —Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2026

The trip broke the record for farthest space flight accomplished by humans and gave the scientists aboard the spacecraft a chance to test critical systems within Orion, including the ship's life support system, maneuverability, its heat shield, and the first toilet to ever orbit the moon. —Alana Wise, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026

The sequel is the first Hollywood pic of the year to accomplish either milestone. —Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English acomplicen, accomplisshen, borrowed from Anglo-French acomplis-, stem of acomplir, acumplir, from a-, prefix forming transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + complir, cumplir "to complete, fulfill," going back (with conjugation change) to Latin complēre "to fill up, complete" — more at complete entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

accomplish

verb

ac·​com·​plish ə-ˈkäm-plish  -ˈkəm- 

: to bring to a successful finish : perform

accomplishable

-ə-bəl 

adjective