fulfill

verb

ful·​fill fu̇(l)-ˈfil How to pronounce fulfill (audio)
 also  fə(l)-
variants or fulfil
fulfilled; fulfilling

transitive verb

1
a
: to put into effect : execute
He fulfilled his pledge to cut taxes.
b
: to meet the requirements of (a business order)
Their order for more TVs was promptly fulfilled.
c
: to measure up to : satisfy
She hasn't yet fulfilled the requirements needed to graduate.
d
: to bring to an end
she came to install herself and fulfill her time at the houseWilla Cather
2
a
: to develop the full potentialities of
He has a lot of talent, but he hasn't really fulfilled his potential.
b
: to convert into reality
a sense of the failure of life to fulfill its ultimate expectationsLeslie Rees
3
archaic : to make full : fill
her subtle, warm, and golden breath … fulfills him with beatitudeAlfred Tennyson
fulfiller noun
Choose the Right Synonym for fulfill

perform, execute, discharge, accomplish, achieve, effect, fulfill 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

execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

executed the hit-and-run

discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

discharged his duties

accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

accomplished everything they set out to do

achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

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

effected sweeping reforms

fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

Examples of fulfill in a Sentence

He fulfilled his pledge to cut taxes. She failed to fulfill her obligations. The program is intended to fulfill the basic needs of children in the community. If we could have that house, our dreams would be fulfilled. He fulfilled his childhood wish to become a professional baseball player. She fulfilled her life's ambition when she started her own business. He's trying to fulfill himself as an artist.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
But how do hiring managers know whether someone truly has the capacity to fulfill a role? Liberty Munson, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 But will this family of outcasts fulfill their transcendent destiny, or decide this life might be worth living after all? With CM Punk, Serafina Vecchio, Wes Haney and Eric Rehill. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024 In the quaint village of Edmonton, a mysterious figure with devilish charm appears offering to fulfill the deepest desires of its inhabitants. Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 25 Oct. 2024 Trump's campaign is spending more than $1 million on the New York rally to fulfill his wish to hold an event there, people familiar with the campaign's planning tell Axios. Sophia Cai, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fulfill 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fulfillen, from Old English fullfyllan, from full full entry 1 + fyllan "to fill entry 1"

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of fulfill was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near fulfill

Cite this Entry

“Fulfill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fulfill. Accessed 9 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

fulfill

verb
ful·​fill
variants or fulfil
fulfilled; fulfilling
1
: accomplish
fulfill a promise
2
: to measure up to : satisfy
fulfill requirements
fulfiller noun
fulfillment
-mənt
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on fulfill

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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