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

The famous ride and an ensuing battle at Lexington and Concord touched off the American Revolution. —Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025

The following day, a two-hour rescue mission ensued as the team attached a tracking buoy to the net around the whale’s tail in case the whale swam off before it was freed, rescuers said. —Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2025

The ensuing exodus could weaken the agency’s ability to collect taxes. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025

On the ensuing faceoff, Columbus’ Mathieu Olivier dropped the gloves with Washington’s Dylan McIlrath and landed two or three heavy punches. —Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025