Synonyms of ensue

ensue

verb

as in to follow

to come at a later time; to happen as a result

When the news broke, a long period of chaos ensued.

Related Words

• follow
• supersede
• replace
• supplant
• displace
• supervene
• succeed
• postdate

Dissimilar Words

• precede
• predate
• antedate

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ensue different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of ensue are follow, succeed, and supervene. While all these words mean "to come after something or someone," ensue commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally expected development.

after the talk a general discussion ensued

When can follow be used instead of ensue?

In some situations, the words follow and ensue are roughly equivalent. However, follow may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical sequence.

speeches followed the dinner

When might succeed be a better fit than ensue?

The meanings of succeed and ensue largely overlap; however, succeed implies a coming after immediately in a sequence determined by natural order, inheritance, election, or laws of rank.

she succeeded her father as head of the business

When would supervene be a good substitute for ensue?

Although the words supervene and ensue have much in common, supervene suggests the following or beginning of something unforeseen or unpredictable.

unable to continue because of supervening circumstances

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ensue

And besides, nobody wants the war that would ensue if American football fans were forced to find another name! —Kirk Bowman, The Conversation, 4 June 2026

And after what is now the fifth-longest scoreless innings streak in MLB history ended, a neat moment ensued when the crowd at Citizens Bank Park gave Sánchez an extended standing ovation. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026

The ensuing collision saw Crepeau break his leg. —Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 4 June 2026

As the opening tipoff nears, Adam Silver and his $76 million rights juggernaut are the clear winners here, even if the ensuing legal skirmish over the NBA’s separation from TNT likely robbed the commissioner of more than a little sleep. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 June 2026