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 It’s been more than 100 days since President Trump returned to the White House and the ceasefire deal that brought me, Omer, and dozens of others back was achieved. Tal Shoham, Time, 9 May 2025 As for their spa menu, HTM’s treatments include ancient Japanese Anma massage techniques and innovative facials, all centered around achieving balance through the Five Elements philosophy (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth). Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 8 May 2025 Fed Chairman Jerome Powell noted in a post-meeting news conference that President Donald Trump’s tariffs may endanger the central bank’s timeline for achieving its dual mandate. Sawdah Bhaimiya,fred Imbert, CNBC, 8 May 2025 The stock market finally went up, achieving 1929 levels in the 1950s. Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for achieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for achieve
Verb
  • That figure comes in well below a peak attained in 2022.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 3 May 2025
  • Los Angeles attained the third seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • The jackpot was the largest prize ever won in the history of Kentucky.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • Baffert, one of only two trainers to ever win the coveted Triple Crown on two occasions, became considered by some an outcast in the horse racing community following the fallout of Medina Spirit’s Kentucky Derby victory in 2021.
    Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • This helps both individuals gain perspective and prevents an emotional standoff from escalating.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • My campaign to get Emmy voters to remember how good Black Doves was has gained crucial traction!
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • The house not only supplied the actresses with clothes, jewelry, accessories and makeup, but also provided a portion of the budget to allow director Olivier Assayas to fulfill his dream of shooting the movie on 35-mm film instead of digitally.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 13 May 2025
  • But the recent tariff cut has given them a chance to ramp up shipments from China and restock their warehouses and fulfill existing orders, supply chain experts say.
    Anniek Bao,Dylan Butts, CNBC, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Airlines are making a ridiculous amount of money by selling you the promise of avoiding a middle seat or exploiting your separation anxiety or your claustrophobia.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • In the weeks leading up to Epic’s opening, Polk took morning walking tours of the Epic grounds, making visual progress reports.
    Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Like her older sisters Elle and Jane, Hansen has helped carry on a winning tradition at Cohasset as a hybrid athlete with the ability to perform just about anything on the field with success.
    Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
  • Ancelotti is the epitome of a man-manager, able to empower his players to perform to their best of their ability without requiring too much tactical instruction.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Part of the appeal was that the technique is fairly intuitive—paint the base color, then dab a textured sponge into the second color and blot—and technically, there’s no wrong way to execute it.
    Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 3 May 2025
  • Florida has executed Gulf War veteran Jeffrey Hutchinson for the shooting deaths of his girlfriend and her three children despite a letter from 129 veterans arguing that Hutchinson's mind was a casualty of war.
    James Powel, USA Today, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • Like the Kearns have done, families could split into different rooms, as well, depending on the age of their children.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 12 May 2025
  • Additionally, if there are any steps that are confusing, now is the time to do the research or watch a video.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 11 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Achieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/achieve. Accessed 16 May. 2025.

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