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

Harrison had $176,000 on April 1, spent $141,000 during the ensuing three months, and had a final cash balance of $112,000 on June 30. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2026

No pitching change resulted from the ensuing chat, though, as Boone kept Cole in the game. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026

The other big story that blasted through late night this week was the cyclospora outbreak and its ensuing explosive diarrhea. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 July 2026

The irony of the theft that ensued was that the value of the Jules Rimet Trophy — recorded as £3,000 (about $4,000) in police documents at the UK’s national archive — fell far below that of other items on display. — Phil Hay, New York Times, 17 July 2026