achieve

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 On the surface, parity seems to have been achieved: At the Grand Slams, there are equal numbers of men’s and women’s matches on the main courts. Gavriella Epstein-Lightman, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025 Abel, Nathan, Baldoni and their co-defendants attempted to achieve these outcomes through bullying distortion and outright disparagement. Elizabeth Rosner, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025 The lid remains fixed and firm, and Marion’s enthusiasm and zest to achieve has also defined the program in short order. Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025 Celebrate Your Wins And Stay Consistent Building a business requires a long-term vision to achieve lasting success. Veranda Adkins, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for achieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for achieve
Verb
  • Best of all, Priority Pass membership is a lot easier to attain than elite status with an airline.
    Paul Rubio, AFAR Media, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Ansari said Islamic believers fast to attain God consciousness and righteousness, and strengthen their relationship with God.
    Pam DeFiglio, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Olympic Heights, which finished in fifth place in both 2023 and 2024, won the Class 2A Large Non-Tumbling Division.
    Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Maryland had won the previous two meetings with Florida but dropped to 2-3 in the all-time series.
    Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Worldwide, employees gained access to remote work and the flexibility that came with it and are, understandably, reluctant to return to in-person work.
    Ruchi Kulhari, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Force™ is gaining momentum, and Oldbury is inviting all of America to be part of it.
    William Mullane, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But rather than a breakdown in the constitutional order, this jostling fulfills the Framers’ design for the separation of powers, which encourages conflict between the branches of government.
    Robert J. Delahunty, National Review, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Comerica's forecast assumes that the DOGE cutbacks and revenues from tariffs are repurposed to partially pay for tax cuts next year: The extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and probably some incremental cuts to fulfill campaign promises and juice the stock market, too.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Foreman and Ali would face off against one another in Kinshasa, Zaire, in arguably the most famous boxing match ever made.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The 2 carat, elongated radiant natural diamond on a 14-karat yellow gold band was custom made at Lux Bond & Green in West Hartford, Connecticut.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Zetterlund performed well enough on the top line, firing two shots on net with a 52.63 Corsi rating at five-on-five.
    Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Leave a comment View Comments Unwind back to standing, then perform the movement, rotating to the left.
    Dana Santas, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Mikal Mahdi, who pleaded guilty to murder for killing a police officer in 2004, is scheduled to be executed April 11.
    Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Rather than simply verifying identity and granting access, an autonomous system can detect threats in real-time, analyze behaviors, and execute a tailored response—without waiting for human intervention.
    Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • This was the best of both creative stimulating worlds, essentially doing a play on screen.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2025
  • And when we were done talking about that, I was spun out, he was spun out.
    Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Achieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/achieve. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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