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 Scholarly interpretations abound as to what Apepi was trying to achieve. Vanessa Taylor, Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025 But achieving true equity is still a long way out, advocates said in interviews. Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025 Students can also choose to pay to retake the SAT in order to potentially achieve a higher score. Krista Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Sep. 2025 When speaking to the press amid the team's celebration, his words were not meant to highlight what had been achieved, but to point out what remains to be done. Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for achieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for achieve
Verb
  • Baz’s intelligence also stretches to the sense that Knight will go back to Bond’s beginnings as a Royal Navy Commander before he was recruited by MI6, the UK’s foreign intelligence agency, and chart how Bond attained 007 status.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Cassidy, a full-time teacher, was just six months away from attaining her degree in education, while Connor had recently been promoted in her role as a personal assistant.
    Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The list recognizes women transforming business and philanthropy, female leaders who have accomplished a meaningful achievement in 2025.
    CNBC.com staff, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Preserving the cap space Vancouver carved out with the Dakota Joshua trade, rather than utilizing it on a player that isn’t a clear upgrade, is seen as a key part of accomplishing that goal.
    Thomas Drance, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Tonight, then, served as another winning addition to his growing political roster.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Colligan cautioned that while an awards win could change a film’s fortune at the box office, distributors needed to make calculated choices, given the industry that has sprung up around awards campaigns and the subsequent costs.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • With both teams aiming to avoid a 1–3 start, this game presents an opportunity for one to gain momentum and establish a positive direction for the rest of the season.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Lessons will include crafting song lyrics, gaining confidence in artistic expression and pairing songwriters with students in a mentorship program.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Among them is harnessing what is sometimes referred to as clean heat, which means fulfilling the supply chain’s thermal energy needs with renewable sources such as wind and solar.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
  • In January, the TPSF fulfilled a $25 million funding commitment to Velocity Elevate LP.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Playful and practical John and Catherine’s grandchildren also have their own suite, though Catherine and Justice made the design choices for them.
    Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • And like Firmerich, many of them continue to make things in their home country.
    Peter Vanham, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The reggaeton star’s ability to perform entirely in Spanish while topping charts globally has rewritten the rules of what mainstream success looks like.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Just players performing the task at hand and being aware of certain situations.
    Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Fans have become frustrated watching the Philadelphia Eagles execute the play time and time again.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The area has seen heavy rains at least 20 times since the VRA was executed last year, according to an ABC News analysis of National Weather Service data.
    Maia Rosenfeld, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Achieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/achieve. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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