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 One way Robbins has achieved that is by making sleep a priority and not allowing screens in the bedroom at night. Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 13 Aug. 2025 The airport also achieved record operating revenue. Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 13 Aug. 2025 But the school achieved a balanced budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, officials say. Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025 China and India have only landed spacecrafts on lunar soil since the late 2010s, with commercial companies achieving the feat since the start of last year. Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for achieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for achieve
Verb
  • Building or attaining such a team is not just costly but time-consuming.
    Roman Reznikov, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • But so far, the Trump administration has only rolled back the policy for mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration, which help low- to moderate-income families attain home ownership.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Carp out, cash in An effort to reduce the number of grass carp in Bella Vista lakes comes with a chance to win a monthly $100 prize.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Aug. 2025
  • In his time at Kansas, the Jayhawks won seven Big 12 regular-season titles and three Big 12 Tournament championships.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Flexible work models are also gaining traction, from four‑day weeks to job shares and compressed hours, enabling workers to maintain their income while reclaiming personal time.
    Andrew Fennell, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Kantar stats from end-July suggested HBO Max had gained around 400,000 subs since launch (20% of all new subs), accounting for around 5% of the country’s streaming market.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Observers say Trump's desire for the Nobel Peace Prize looms large over the summit with Putin, as the president looks to fulfill a campaign promise to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The property also has two pools, a tennis court and a $1 million geothermal heating system and concealed solar field, which allows the estate to fulfill its own energy needs.
    Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Burton made a triple, a layup, and two free throws to help the Valkyries push their lead back to 20 by the 1:30 mark of the third quarter.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Stewart, who was placed on the injured list on Tuesday, made four appearances for the Dodgers, giving up two runs and six hits in 3⅔ innings for a 4.91 ERA.
    Mike Digiovanna, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • When culture starts performing alignment instead of living it, most companies reach for fixes: tighter messaging, new values, more playbooks.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The piece was to be performed at a church near McVeigh's execution site in Terre Haute, Indiana, then recorded and played on the radio so that McVeigh would have a chance to hear it.
    Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Cortes then executed a 10-pitch third inning facing the Diamondbacks’ 2-3-4 hitters and got through the fourth in 12 pitches with help from a double play that made up for a lead-off walk.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Recently, a decision from the Imperial Palace stipulated that all POWs were to be executed if the Allies ever landed on Japan’s shores.
    Charles Pellegrino, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Russia has a 50-year goal, to re-unite parts of the old Soviet Union; Ukraine has a more immediate goal, to stop the war and not give up any territory to do so.
    Richard Stengel, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
  • In 2024-2025 the lodge stayed open for the winter, doing events like winemaker dinners.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Achieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/achieve. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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