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 Kang’s session is expected to provide insight into Netflix’s K-content strategy, audience engagement metrics, and future plans for Korean programming that has achieved global popularity. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Apr. 2025 The Center Square spoke with State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who noted that while the bills have not yet been formally introduced, her office has met with Mastriano and others interested in discussing ways to achieve their goal. Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 26 Apr. 2025 Lead by the restorative properties of prickly pear oil, this rich mask helps restore the hair shaft, improve split ends, and achieve overall healthier hair. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2025 Protecting the human spark While AI models that simulate creativity in writing, coding, images, audio, or video can achieve remarkable imitations of human works, this sophisticated mimicry currently lacks the full depth of the human experience. ArsTechnica, 25 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
  • Spanish-language media giant TelevisaUnivision said its first quarter swung to a profit as the company reduced expenses and saw its streaming business gain traction, even as key areas of revenue experienced declines.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Apr. 2025
  • While the 30-year Treasury yield has gained just about 2 basis points so far this year, the spike within a week after Trump announced reciprocal tariffs was over 30 basis points — the benchmark 10-year yield also spiked by 30 basis points.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The fresh color popped up when Middleton and Prince William traveled to Scotland to celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary and fulfill some royal duties.
    Kara Nesvig, Allure, 1 May 2025
  • For students applying in this admissions cycle, Yale made the groundbreaking move to allow students to submit Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exam scores rather than the ACT or SAT to fulfill their standardized testing requirement.
    Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • But the fasteners used in most projects are made in China, and those prices have risen nearly 70% in anticipation of tariffs, Prchal said.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2025
  • By the end of the episode, Ellie and Dina had made it to Seattle and were preparing to enter the city under the misguided impression that WLF was a relatively insignificant force.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • At a suitable moment, the charger performs a USB PD Data Role (DR) Swap.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2025
  • With the results of this simulation capability, farmers would be able to predict which specific plant varieties will perform best in their fields and quickly determine the best solutions when faced with challenges such as extreme weather.
    Matt Alderton, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • Svalbard is governed by a 1920 treaty that gives over 40 countries, including Russia, China and the U.S., equal rights to live and do business there.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Coefficient Capital also participated in the round, as did Gorgie board members Jason Cohen and Yossi Nasser.
    BYAllie Garfinkle, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Achieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/achieve. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

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