Synonym Chooser

How does the verb perform contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of perform are accomplish, achieve, discharge, effect, execute, and fulfill. While all these words 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

When would accomplish be a good substitute for perform?

The meanings of accomplish and perform largely overlap; however, accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

accomplished everything they set out to do

How are the words achieve and accomplish related as synonyms of perform?

Achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

Where would discharge be a reasonable alternative to perform?

The words discharge and perform are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

discharged his duties

How do effect and achieve relate to one another, in the sense of perform?

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

effected sweeping reforms

When might execute be a better fit than perform?

The synonyms execute and perform are sometimes interchangeable, but execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

executed the hit-and-run

In what contexts can fulfill take the place of perform?

Although the words fulfill and perform have much in common, fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

Examples 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 perform What's your favorite part about just touring or performing live in general? Them, 11 Dec. 2024 Those kinds of tasks are performed by someone who comes to the customer’s driveway. Bill Koenig, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 Watch on Deadline Writers Daniel and Joseph perform together as Two Hearts, a musical comedy duo. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024 That’s tops amongst a group of Wild players who have performed tremendously this season for a team that has allowed a league-low 1.3 five-on-five goals per game. Michael Russo, The Athletic, 30 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for perform 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perform
Verb
  • Spending any time or resources to execute 32 steps when 11 would achieve the same outcome is still inefficient, even if the task is automated or AI-assisted.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Campbell made a controversial decision to execute an onside kick, which subsequently failed, in the fourth quarter when the Lions were trailing by 10 points with 12 minutes left on the clock.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Years after swearing off acting, Jim Carrey returns to the big screen next week.
    Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
  • But the company says its project is inspired by natural processes and offers a last chance to protect a disappearing ecosystem as the world fails to act swiftly on climate change.
    Laura Paddison, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Vincent Trocheck stressed the need to play tighter and have short memories on the ice.
    Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
  • The Braid, which for 17 years has featured Jewish stories through salons, play readings and more, now has a physical home on Ocean Boulevard in Santa Monica.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Less than two minutes later, the Lightning went to work on the power play and showed why their top unit is still a formidable threat despite Steven Stamkos’ departure.
    Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
  • The film was shot in Atlanta and marked Lohan's first as a working mom.
    Latoya Gayle, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The American Cinematheque Awards serves as an annual fundraiser to support the American Cinematheque’s year-round programming at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, Los Feliz 3 Theatre in Los Feliz, and Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.
    Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Dec. 2024
  • While summer trips to the Jersey Shore are a beloved tradition for many, travelers would be well served to look beyond the beach and plan outside of the warmer months.
    Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Jessica Chastain and Casey Affleck portray his children as adults, while Matt Damon, John Lithgow, Michael Caine and Topher Grace each appear along the way as well.
    Tommy McArdle, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
  • Thom Christopher, the Daytime Emmy-winning actor who portrayed the mobster Carlo Hesser and his meeker twin brother, Mortimer Bern, on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, has died.
    Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Intelligence investigations operate in a more nebulous realm.
    Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Combined, the two companies would have employed more than 710,000 workers and operate nearly 5,000 stores, almost 4,000 pharmacies and over 2,000 fuel centers nationwide.
    Richard Collings, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The report said that safety systems that depend on the ECU that does not function properly or at all will increase the risk of a crash.
    Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
  • PMTs would function in an analogous role to deliver basic primary care.
    Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near perform

Cite this Entry

“Perform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perform. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on perform

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