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 Despite — or perhaps because of — their differences, these two women help each other wrangle the challenges around them to find a way forward, be their best selves, and fulfill their dreams. Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 30 Sep. 2025 But once the kids move out and the house goes quiet, couples are often left facing the reality that their bond may have been built more on coparenting than a fulfilling romance built for the long haul. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 30 Sep. 2025 Hart stated that Hulk Hogan never fulfilled that traditional responsibility. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 Artist Nguyen said teaching children of all backgrounds about culturally rich activities such as cyanotype art is fulfilling and special. Lauren Uppal, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fulfill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fulfill
Verb
  • There's a debate raging about whether adding a squirrel feeding station filled with corn or peanuts to your garden will satisfy the rodents and keep them away from bulbs.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Waukesha County cheers key step in the process For Waukesha County, Boardman's statement satisfies officials' hope that state transportation leaders are at least acknowledging the importance of I-94 locally and are following the steps necessary to make a project happen at some point.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The list recognizes women transforming business and philanthropy, female leaders who have accomplished a meaningful achievement in 2025.
    CNBC.com staff, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Preserving the cap space Vancouver carved out with the Dakota Joshua trade, rather than utilizing it on a player that isn’t a clear upgrade, is seen as a key part of accomplishing that goal.
    Thomas Drance, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But despite all that history, the church voted in June to stop meeting due to low numbers and the inability to keep up with building maintenance costs.
    Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The mayor's office said the quick timeline is necessary to meet state notification deadlines for the change to take effect.
    Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Smart nutrition management all through the season always works better than trying to achieve stunning results with last minute fertilizer fixes.
    Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The 22-game run lasted from January 16, 1897, to September 18 later that year and helped the Birmingham club do the double of league title and FA Cup in the spring — something that wouldn’t be achieved again until Tottenham Hotspur replicated it in 1960-61.
    Will Jeanes, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In the 2022 and 2024 cycles, pro-Israel groups swung into Democratic primaries, spending money against progressive critics of the Jewish state and keeping several out of Congress.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Cleaning essentials, like this Shark cordless vacuum, this Black + Decker handheld vacuum, and this mop and bucket set will keep your home sparkly clean with minimal effort.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Brewers ranked a more respectable 12th in slugging percentage, and some of their most dynamic hitters were either not performing or not yet on the team early in the season.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Swift performed an acoustic version of her song, invoking tears.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Many of those that still produce a large share of their products in cities and towns such as Geneva, Vevey, and Zurich—like Nestlé’s Nespresso coffee arm, DSM-Firmenich, and heavy industrial equipment makers like ABB and Hitachi Energy—are unusual in being able to do so competitively.
    Peter Vanham, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
  • But, to do you any good, squeezing the veins must propel the blood in the right direction, toward the heart.
    Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fulfill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fulfill. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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