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

With the Buckeyes, Henderson set freshman records (1,560 total yards and 19 touchdowns in 13 games) before dealing with a pair of injuries in the ensuing two seasons that kept him out of eight games. —Chad Graff, New York Times, 18 June 2025

Similar protests ensued in the following days, nationwide in dozens of U.S. cities. —Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2025

Over the ensuing days, both sides carried out more attacks, which have amounted to more than 200 deaths in Iran and 24 deaths in Israel as of June 16. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025

While Arons stayed pretty low profile in the ensuing years, the business has been experiencing some impressive gains. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 June 2025