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

But the defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing possession to bail out Harris. — Doug Haller, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

But Jason Sanders missed the ensuing extra point and Chicago ran out the clock with an 18-play, 77-yard drive. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026

The Fighting Irish responded with a touchdown drive, then intercepted Edwards on the first play of UNC’s ensuing possession deep in Tar Heel territory. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Otherwise, the result is an unbadged workforce with no one responsible for the unstructured chaos that will likely ensue. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026