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
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Recent Examples of ensueTheir 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
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.
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.
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?
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