ensue

verb

en·​sue in-ˈsü 

en-

ensued; ensuing

transitive verb

: to strive to attain : pursue

I wander, seeking peace, and ensuing it.

—Rupert Brooke

intransitive verb

: to take place afterward or as a result

Choose the Right Synonym for ensue

follow, succeed, ensue, supervene mean to come after something or someone.

follow may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical sequence.

speeches followed the dinner

succeed implies a coming after immediately in a sequence determined by natural order, inheritance, election, or laws of rank.

she succeeded her father as head of the business

ensue commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally expected development.

after the talk a general discussion ensued

supervene suggests the following or beginning of something unforeseen or unpredictable.

unable to continue because of supervening circumstances

Examples of ensue in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The ensuing investigation unearthed a video of Jon Consiglio and the girl inside the bedroom of his home in Staten Island’s Woodrow neighborhood, the feds allege, and he was arrested in January. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026

With each having their own motives to capture the killer, double-crosses and cat-and-mouse games ensue, along with a heaping helping of police versus criminals and gang versus gang action. —Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026

About two dozen others were struck by gunfire, nearly half of whom were children under 16 years old, and about 60 others were injured in the chaos that ensued. —Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026

Rosette wrote that an ensuing investigation implicated Chirinos-Munguia in the killing, and identified 30-year-old Alfonso Inestroza as the shooter. —Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French ensivre (3rd singular ensiut), from en- + sivre to follow — more at sue

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for ensue

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

ensue

verb

en·​sue in-ˈsü 

ensued; ensuing

: to come at a later time or as a result : follow

ensuing effects