Synonym Chooser

How does the verb perform contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of perform are accomplish, achieve, discharge, effect, execute, and fulfill. While all these words mean "to carry out or into effect," perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill.

performed gymnastics

When would accomplish be a good substitute for perform?

The meanings of accomplish and perform largely overlap; however, accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

accomplished everything they set out to do

How are the words achieve and accomplish related as synonyms of perform?

Achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

Where would discharge be a reasonable alternative to perform?

The words discharge and perform are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

discharged his duties

How do effect and achieve relate to one another, in the sense of perform?

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

effected sweeping reforms

When might execute be a better fit than perform?

The synonyms execute and perform are sometimes interchangeable, but execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

executed the hit-and-run

In what contexts can fulfill take the place of perform?

Although the words fulfill and perform have much in common, fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

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 perform Goose will perform at the Park City Song Summit this weekend before continuing their ongoing tour through the fall. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2025 The top 10 will then perform on the main 816 Day stage. Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025 The piece was to be performed at a church near McVeigh's execution site in Terre Haute, Indiana, then recorded and played on the radio so that McVeigh would have a chance to hear it. Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025 Shumate’s memo directs prosecutors to prioritize investigations against doctors, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies that perform such procedures. Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perform
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perform
Verb
  • Florida is set to execute a death row inmate for the kidnapping and stabbing death of a young woman who was attacked at work more than four decades ago.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
  • The trailer reveals Park’s character Yun Yi-rang transforming from socialite to business mogul while executing elaborate schemes against corrupt villains.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Data literacy should not be reserved for analysts; every team, from marketing to finance, should be equipped to interpret and act on insights.
    Matthew Gantner, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • To compensate, LeMessurier developed a structural bracing system to act like an exoskeleton.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Triste was mixed by Chris Coady and features contributions from drummer Josh Freese and guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen, with whom Lenchantin previously played in A Perfect Circle.
    Walden Green, Pitchfork, 20 Aug. 2025
  • And after 14 seasons, the Honor Bowl will not be played this season.
    John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Before his arrest, Soliman worked as an imam in Cincinnati and as a chaplain at Cincinnati Children's hospital.
    Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 9 Aug. 2025
  • Life of a crew member Crews of about 20 people and a captain live and work on the ships.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The gaming landscape serves as a dynamic social ecosystem where players engage through voice, text and even gestures within immersive virtual environments.
    Anees Ali Khan, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • The Office's Greg Daniels serves as showrunner, executive producer, and writer alongside Michael Koman, while Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, creators of the original British version of The Office, also executive produce.
    EW.com, EW.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • American leaders and commentators often portrayed international adversaries in unflattering and discursive brushstrokes.
    Time, Time, 8 Aug. 2025
  • South Park went after Homeland Security on its social media pages and made Vice President JD Vance a key target in the latest episode, portraying him toddler-sized next to Trump.
    Joshua Sammons, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • These flights, which carry about 20% of Air Canada's daily customers, operate under different carriers and would not be impacted by a strike.
    Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The Japanese tech company has operated in Russia since 2006, but after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine began scaling back operations, halting console shipments and closing online and brick-and-mortar stores.
    Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The issue is that his government still functions like a movement, loyal, insular, and wary of disruption.
    Brett Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
  • These creators function similarly to talking heads in extreme mainstream media, except on platforms like Reddit, X and YouTube.
    Preeti Kulkarni, Baltimore Sun, 14 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perform. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.

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