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 The winner in this category, The Oberoi Cruises, with five-star sailings on the Nile, achieved one of the top scores in the entire World’s Best Awards survey for 2025. Fran Golden, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025 Another, Davis, achieved eligibility last fall by crossing the 25% threshold of Latino enrollment. Michael Burke, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025 By Monday evening, the fire crew has achieved full containment of the blaze. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2025 The non-stick surface is also achieved naturally, without the use of any chemicals to coat the pan. Izzy Baskette, People.com, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for achieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for achieve
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • The July 1 report suggests that while most Americans will see tax savings in the short term, high-income households stand to gain the most.
    Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 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
  • The plane then made an emergency landing at St. Pete-Clearwater Airport in Florida at approximately 2:08 p.m. local time, per the release.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 8 July 2025
  • That makes these perfect for travelers, seniors, and basically anyone else.
    Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • The military branch is slated to perform its first-ever refueling of a U.S. military asset in orbit as early as next summer.
    Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
  • The show features five drag queens, each performing two of Swift's eras.
    Bryan West, The Tennessean, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Despite various avenues of communication and the increasingly digital process of creating denim, a gap persists between designers and the people executing their designs.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 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
  • Wear comfortable shoes, as much of your exploring will probably be done on foot.
    New York Times, New York Times, 10 July 2025
  • In complex or regulated environments, speed matters, but so does cross-functional orchestration that accounts for the nuances of the situation.
    Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Achieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/achieve. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

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