ensue

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.

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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

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 ensue The ensuing kickoff was a pooch kick recovered by Eaton’s Xavier Whitis at the Trinity 22-yard line. Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025 The vehicle did not pull over, and a pursuit ensued. Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025 His relationship with head coach Matt LaFleur became visibly tense on the sideline in the ensuing seasons as the pair faced consistent questions about their relationship from the media. Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025 There were times where the ensuing shot attempt didn’t touch the rim. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ensue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensue
Verb
  • Without an excellent performance from the Italian, Spurs would doubtless be travelling back to north London following a second defeat in four days.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Passmore explains the mix of personal reflection and historical storytelling in the book which follows the main character, a version of himself, time-traveling through a century of the Black radical tradition.
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But as one writer put it, in 1988 the promise of American-style prosperity came to supersede concerns for preserving a distinctly Canadian model of social democracy.
    Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Those charges, however, were amended when prosecutors filed superseding indictments in both cases in early September.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The last American to compete in the pinnacle of motorsport was Logan Sargeant, who raced for Williams for nearly two years before the team replaced him.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Now, more often than not, they are replaced by casual dinners, drinks and thoughtful gestures.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Since the 2008 financial crisis, non-bank lenders have supplanted traditional banks, and instability in private credit could force pension funds and other large investors to sell S&P 500 index funds, potentially exacerbating volatility.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Heavy water, therefore, supplants its two regular hydrogen atoms with two deuterium atoms.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Directed by Alia Azamat Ashkenazi, a two-time United Nations Award winner, the film explores the haunting legacy of a real-life government scheme that displaced thousands of children from La Réunion to rural France under false pretenses.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Launched in December 2023, the Sichuan is believed to displace more than 40,000 tons and features a full-length flight deck with one EMALS catapult similar to those on the Fujian.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ensue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ensue. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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