variants or fulfil

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb fulfill contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fulfill are accomplish, achieve, discharge, effect, execute, and perform. While all these words mean "to carry out or into effect," fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

Where would accomplish be a reasonable alternative to fulfill?

While the synonyms accomplish and fulfill are close in meaning, accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

accomplished everything they set out to do

How do achieve and accomplish relate to one another, in the sense of fulfill?

Achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

When could discharge be used to replace fulfill?

While in some cases nearly identical to fulfill, discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

discharged his duties

How are the words effect and achieve related as synonyms of fulfill?

Effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles.

effected sweeping reforms

When would execute be a good substitute for fulfill?

The meanings of execute and fulfill largely overlap; however, execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

executed the hit-and-run

When might perform be a better fit than fulfill?

In some situations, the words perform and fulfill are roughly equivalent. However, perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill.

performed gymnastics

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fulfill Schools like ours help fulfill those needs. Stephen Tave, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025 At Lee’s suggestion, Donald ultimately decides to fulfill his late brother's wishes and give Washberg family land to Arthur’s grandson Chutto (Mato Wayuhi), who returns it to the Osage Nation. Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2025 The candidates ran to fulfill the last two years of an unexpired, four-year term. Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025 Something that was important to Ryan was fulfilling fantasies. Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fulfill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fulfill
Verb
  • And the compressed timeframe of the story ticks down to a hugely satisfying climactic encounter in the mountains.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Each is ready in minutes, ideal for a filling lunch or a quick, satisfying snack.
    Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • After more than 40 days of uncertainty for our troops, federal workers, Texas families who rely on SNAP, & countless others, Senate Democrats have relented after accomplishing nothing but hurting millions of Americans.
    Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
  • But the shutdown also accomplished a lot.
    Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Johnson has kept the House out of session since mid-September after Republicans passed a bill to continue government funding.
    Nik Popli, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
  • For more stellar Tupperware and food storage container finds at Amazon, keep reading!
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • As this brief survey suggests, the patriots’ success in drawing foreign partners into the war was essential to achieving American independence.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Sustainable transformation isn’t achieved by a mandate; instead, it’s driven by leaders who focus on people first.
    Feon Ang, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Mills and the Texans’ offense scored a touchdown on all three of their fourth-quarter drives, including the veteran quarterback capping a 14-play, 93-yard drive with a 14-yard run to complete the comeback and give Houston a 30-29 lead — its first of the game.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Despite the game-ending gaffe, Schakel had a strong day, completing 43 of 63 passes for 451 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
    Alex Valdes, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Hours after Dundee’s Professor Iris Grunwald performed the world’s first remote thrombectomy on a human cadaver, another milestone followed.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Game and network services have performed well in recent quarters thanks to a shift to digital game purchases and the PlayStation Plus subscription service.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • So commences a night of harrowing encounters and trauma both physical and mental, starting with Ron and Mike’s trip to meet Oliver at a bar after one of his shows.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
  • When the Huskies lined up for a 50-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, Ben Barten’s outstretched hand met the ball, sending it skittering across the slick turf.
    Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Mamdani will face high expectations and even higher barriers to executing an agenda that includes enormous bureaucratic, political, and logistic hurdles.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
  • To the credit of general manager Joe Hortiz and coach Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers identified a piece and executed a deal ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline despite limiting factors.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fulfill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fulfill. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fulfill

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!