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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• 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

Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed and thousands arrested in Israeli military operations, and dozens of Israelis have been killed in Palestinian terror attacks, since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza. —Ben Sales, Sun Sentinel, 3 June 2025

In Norfolk County, our DA is invisible and inaccessible, and the ensuing long-term lack of accountability has yielded catastrophic results. —Craig MacLellan, Boston Herald, 3 June 2025

Over the ensuing years, that technology has matured and developed with new features like OLEDs and micro-LED backlighting. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

At the bachelorette party, a psychic (Vanessa Bayer) predicts the second swap, and mayhem ensues. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025