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 To achieve her effortless style, Quintero used a lineup of products from Living Proof. Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025 Giorgio Armani, the famed Italian fashion designer who achieved elegance and timelessness through simplicity, has died. Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025 This was achieved through voluntary transfers, with each school given $150,000 to design programs that would attract transferring students. Krista Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025 Both boys and girls should have the freedom to experience childhood free from the pressures of contorting their growing bodies into narrow definitions of beauty or feeling the inevitable resentment and pain that comes from trying to achieve these impossible standards. Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for achieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for achieve
Verb
  • Jackson and his family plan to send details of the catch to the International Game Fish Association with the hopes of attaining world records in both the junior record for Atlantic halibut category as well as line class for all fish.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • To attain the highest quality of cotton, go with its Egyptian, Pima, and Turkish varieties.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • With how the rotation was used in Week 1, neither goal was accomplished.
    Mike Kaye September 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • And yet in restructuring Patagonia to ensure that its profits are used to protect wild lands, Chouinard accomplished something remarkable, turning a for-profit corporation with $1 billion in annual sales into one of the biggest environmental philanthropies in the country.
    David Gelles, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Charlotte forced five Tar Heels three-and-outs, held them to 33% on third-down attempts, and won the time of possession battle.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Even there, though, Green Bay’s 11-game winning streak against the Bears came to an end in Week 18 last season.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This was the lowest yardage gained in a game under coach Zac Taylor.
    Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Shinjiro Koizumi, the telegenic political scion who has gained prominence as Ishiba’s farm minister tasked with trying to cap soaring prices, is another possible successor.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But alas, the March 2005 issue had me on the inside of a pullout cover to fulfill their legal obligation.
    Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Buried under the charred rubble on Life Changers Global Ministries’ parking lot is a promise that will be fulfilled, the decades-old south Phoenix church’s pastor is quick to assure.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Raskin cites comments Patel made before being sworn in as FBI director.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • In the press release regarding the official launch of the Program, Impel co-founder and CEO Devin Daly emphasized the impact the companies hope to make by helping industry employees gain the acumen to effectively work alongside AI.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • During the annual Rhythm & Roots Reunion festival, Shanghai is the first to set up a stage for performing bands.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Around the same time, police reported Tammy's death as suspicious and performed an autopsy, with her cause of death being declared asphyxiation.
    Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In the clip, the pair execute the moves to the song’s post-chorus, before a bonnet-wearing Colbert pretends to choke on something, causing Gaga to erupt in laughter.
    Stephen Daw, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The current owners tapped architect Chip Bohl and interior designer Louise Copeland to execute a complete interior renovation and construct the north wing.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Achieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/achieve. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on achieve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!