achieve

Definition of achievenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb achieve contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of achieve are accomplish, discharge, effect, execute, fulfill, and perform. While all these words mean "to carry out or into effect," achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

When might accomplish be a better fit than achieve?

While in some cases nearly identical to achieve, accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

accomplished everything they set out to do

In what contexts can discharge take the place of achieve?

The meanings of discharge and achieve largely overlap; however, discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

discharged his duties

How are the words effect and achieve related?

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

effected sweeping reforms

When could execute be used to replace achieve?

The words execute and achieve are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

executed the hit-and-run

When is fulfill a more appropriate choice than achieve?

The synonyms fulfill and achieve are sometimes interchangeable, but fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

When would perform be a good substitute for achieve?

In some situations, the words perform and achieve 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 achieve It is also achieved by planting a variety of vegetables throughout the growing season. Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 29 May 2026 By employing his knowledge of advanced technology to achieve his goal of crafting a spaceship to transport life-giving water back to his dry planet, Newton creates enormous wealth for his insane aqua-ark idea. Jeff Spry, Space.com, 29 May 2026 Their antagonism peaked at the end of Season 3, when Deborah achieves her dream of landing a late-night chair and Ava blackmails her way into the head-writer job. Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 29 May 2026 The biggest hurdle is achieving Federal Aviation Administration certification. Samantha Subin, CNBC, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for achieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for achieve
Verb
  • Waymo states that these sensors are necessary to attain high levels of safety.
    Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
  • Meanwhile, looksmaxxers with an especially large following of hundreds of thousands of people on social media platforms like TikTok and Kick have attained pop-culture status.
    Jordyn Tovey, The Conversation, 22 May 2026
Verb
  • Optical interferometers were invented more than a century ago, but orchestrating and combining signals from multiple telescopes across long baselines has proved much harder to accomplish with visible light compared to the relative ease of working in radio waves.
    K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 27 May 2026
  • The White Sox last accomplished that feat June 27-30, 1938.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • Saugus has won multiple playoff games in each of its first two seasons under head coach Mike Miller.
    Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 27 May 2026
  • Lost in all the offense was the strong pitching performance from Tyson Bobo, who won his second game in the playoffs and improved to 6-3 on the season.
    John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • Recently, however, cofounder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has articulated aggressive AI ambitions and invested in a massive compute infrastructure and wildly expensive talent pool to fulfill them.
    Ellie Austin, Fortune, 27 May 2026
  • People typically desire to be part of a team where they are valued as humans and not just as someone fulfilling a role.
    Nancy Padberg, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • As Major League Baseball’s Rays make their latest fitful pursuit to build a new Tampa Bay home, an Orlando group is feverishly working to develop a fanbase, win political support, and perhaps gain a chunk of tourism dollars for a ballpark in the event opportunity comes its way.
    Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
  • For me, a rematch only gains real momentum if Verhoeven proves Saturday wasn't a one-off by beating a legitimate contender first.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
Verb
  • The astronaut was not named, but a China Manned Space Agency representative stated that the pilot and payload specialist are able to perform each other's roles, suggesting that one of the two will stay for a full year in space.
    Andrew Jones, Space.com, 24 May 2026
  • But at the time of each service honoring a fallen veteran, the volunteers fell silent and performed the honors in sync.
    Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Verb
  • Utility man Santiago Espinal, whom the Dodgers claimed on waivers and broke out in spring training, was designated for assignment to make room on the roster.
    Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
  • The building's neoclassical bones are intact, but Kimpton has brought in its signature whimsy, making a hotel that feels both historic and contemporary.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 May 2026
Verb
  • Still, since the man had fled, these officials emphasized the necessity of executing her, even as the whole episode whispered even to them of the dangerous vulnerabilities of their colonial situation.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
  • Playing on the right side of the puck while pushing for offense is easy to say, but much harder to actually execute.
    Jesse Granger, New York Times, 25 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Achieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/achieve. Accessed 30 May. 2026.

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