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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 Their ensuing legal battle continued for nine years before the two parties finally reached a settlement in 2023. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 13 May 2025 What ensued was an ultra-secret period of damage control. Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 12 May 2025 For Wells Fargo’s Samana, the current economic uncertainty can be traced to trade policy and tariffs and their ensuing effects throughout the markets. Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 9 May 2025 When the two run afoul of local authorities and their young son is taken from them, a standoff ensues leading to one of the largest and most dramatic sieges America has ever seen. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ensue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensue
Verb
  • The pic follows crusty Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix), who decides to take on the town’s mayor, Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal).
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 17 May 2025
  • Watch Final Destination on Max Final Destination 2 Picking up a year after the first movie, Final Destination 2 follows Kimberly Corman (A.J. Cook), who, while driving on the highway with her friends, suddenly has a premonition of a massive pile-up killing her and dozens of others.
    Keith Langston, People.com, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • January 30, 2025: Federal prosecutors filed a superseding indictment against Combs, expanding the racketeering conspiracy allegations to include two new female victims.
    Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
  • Our lives on the shows supersede their own lives, become part of their daily living.
    Victoria Edel, People.com, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • More news to know now The acting FEMA administrator was replaced after contradicting Trump on abolishing the agency.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Eventually, a £400,000 scheme was agreed that would see a new roof erected, all wooden benches replaced, and the entire area concreted.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • The Oilers needed more from their regular-season starter who was supplanted by Calvin Pickard less than six periods into this playoff run and only returned to the crease because of a Pickard injury.
    Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 12 May 2025
  • Are humans essentially extinct and supplanted or controlled by the Throng, or is the relationship as symbiotic as Cameron suggests?
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The body of water was formed in the 1950s by flooding numerous communities, displacing nearly 700 families.
    Abigail Adams, People.com, 16 May 2025
  • While some residents were able to return to their apartments, others remain displaced due to the extent of the damage.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ensue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ensue. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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