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

Orion managed to shake him off but a battle ensued that went on all night. —Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026

The Panthers went four-and-out on the ensuing possession, as their season came to a close. —Joseph Person, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026

Naumov stumbled on each of his first three jumping elements, but fought for every fraction of a point on the ensuing skills. —Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026

In the ensuing battle, singer Pearline (Jayme Lawson) and Annie (Wunmi Mosaku), Smoke's estranged wife, are bitten. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Jan. 2026