How is the word supervene different from other verbs like it?
Some common synonyms of supervene are ensue, follow, and succeed. While all these words mean "to come after something or someone," supervene suggests the following or beginning of something unforeseen or unpredictable.
unable to continue because of supervening circumstances
When could ensue be used to replace supervene?
In some situations, the words ensue and supervene are roughly equivalent. However, ensue commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally expected development.
after the talk a general discussion ensued
In what contexts can follow take the place of supervene?
While the synonyms follow and supervene are close in meaning, follow may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical sequence.
speeches followed the dinner
When is succeed a more appropriate choice than supervene?
Although the words succeed and supervene have much in common, 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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of superveneThe reaction One aftereffect Stanley likely did not forecast was the supervening middle-school bullying.—Scott Hocker, theweek, 8 Feb. 2024
Research from the American Medical Association found that nearly all doctors believe AI tools can only succeed if they're fully integrated with electronic health records.
—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
Both productions succeeded in repositioning Salome as a perverse instrument of justice.
Foreigner lead singer Kelly Hansen is exiting the band, but the '70s rockers found a familiar face to replace him.
—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
While there’s no replacing Ashton Jeanty, Fresno State RB Malik Sherrod (172 carries, 966 yards in 2023) was the star of spring and will be joined by promising redshirt freshman Sire Gaines.
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