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

Game officials weren’t able to determine who had possession at the time of the interruption, so a jump ball ensued. —Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 4 June 2026

What ensued was a 25-14 close to the third, which eventually turned into a strong 11-0 fourth-quarter finish in what became a 105-95 Knicks win in Game 1 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio. —Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 4 June 2026

The Chiefs traded him to the Titans the ensuing offseason. —Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026

And besides, nobody wants the war that would ensue if American football fans were forced to find another name! —Kirk Bowman, The Conversation, 4 June 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