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 The visual is meant to underline Bukele’s feat of achieving a top-level U.S. alliance for a country suddenly punching significantly above its weight in global affairs. David Catanese, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025 Scaling This Approach For Greater Impact By refining audience segmentation, message testing and budget optimization strategies, businesses can achieve greater efficiency and engagement—even in industries where traditional marketing is still dominant. Sam Nelson, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025 Bonnell: Two deployments, 20 years of service An Army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Ruth Castro, told the Fayetteville Observer that Bonnell served in the Special Forces, achieving the rank of sergeant first class and serving from September 2004 to December 2024. Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025 President Richard Nixon and his equally Machiavellian agent Henry Kissinger were masters of this ancient art, and achieved significant results. Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 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
  • Inflation stands well below a peak attained in 2022, though price increases register nearly a percentage point higher than the Fed's goal of 2%.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Now, Wells has a chance to become the fourth second-round pick in NBA history to win Rookie of the Year.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • That advantage paired with a 14-11 edge in offensive rebounds helped Cleveland win the possession battle, taking eight more field-goal attempts and four more free throws than Miami.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The strategy is straightforward: invest at least $2,000 in a company's stock to gain shareholder rights, then submit resolutions pushing for corporate responsibility.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Many victims reported Crawley used his professional status and charismatic personality to gain trust, create an illusion of financial stability and ultimately exploit those relationships for personal gain, the release states.
    Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The tech executive hired several young engineers aged 19-24 to fulfill his directives at DOGE, which centered on eliminating positions Musk deemed to be unnecessary.
    Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • However, after making season one, Gilroy and Luna both realized that their initial aim was too ambitious and likely required at least a decade of their lives to fulfill.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The traffic alert was reported Monday at 5:22 p.m., and the latest update regarding this incident was made available on Monday at 8:32 p.m. Past Incidents in the last 12 hours: There were no traffic incidents reported in this area for the past 12 hours.
    Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Rebellions had made a name for itself with its energy-efficient AI computer chips with a range of applications, from high-frequency trading to supporting large language model tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
    John Kang, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But while most saw the moment as a liberating one for women, Horsell saw it as another instance of a female playing top-level sport without the necessary support to perform at her best.
    Asif Burhan, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The agreement would enable Doral police officers to perform limited immigration functions, including questioning, detaining and processing individuals suspected of violating immigration laws.
    Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • His lawyers claimed that executing him would violate the Eighth Amendment, which protects against forms of cruel and unusual punishment.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Michael Tanzi, 48, is scheduled to be executed April 8 at Florida State Prison for his conviction in the kidnapping and murder of a woman in Miami in 2000.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But another South Florida spot did: Itamae Ao, a Nikkei-style Peruvian-Japanese spot in Miami, earned its first Michelin star.
    Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Here’s hoping these two titans of the game meet one more time in the postseason before they’re done.
    Josh Yohe, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Achieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/achieve. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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