ENSUE Synonyms: 11 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'ensue' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of ensue are follow , succeed , and supervene . While all these words mean "to come after something or someone," ensue commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally expected development. // after the talk a general discussion ensued

Q: When can 'follow' be used instead of 'ensue'?

In some situations, the words follow and ensue are roughly equivalent. However, follow may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical sequence. // speeches followed the dinner

Q: When might 'succeed' be a better fit than 'ensue'?

The meanings of succeed and ensue largely overlap; however, succeed implies a coming after immediately in a sequence determined by natural order, inheritance, election, or laws of rank. // she succeeded her father as head of the business

Q: When would 'supervene' be a good substitute for 'ensue'?

Although the words supervene and ensue have much in common, supervene suggests the following or beginning of something unforeseen or unpredictable. // unable to continue because of supervening circumstances

ensue

verb

Definition of ensue next

as in to follow

to come at a later time; to happen as a result When the news broke, a long period of chaos ensued.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word ensue different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of ensue are follow, succeed, and supervene. While all these words mean "to come after something or someone," ensue commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally expected development.

after the talk a general discussion ensued

When can follow be used instead of ensue?

In some situations, the words follow and ensue are roughly equivalent. However, follow may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical sequence.

speeches followed the dinner

When might succeed be a better fit than ensue?

The meanings of succeed and ensue largely overlap; however, succeed implies a coming after immediately in a sequence determined by natural order, inheritance, election, or laws of rank.

she succeeded her father as head of the business

When would supervene be a good substitute for ensue?

Although the words supervene and ensue have much in common, supervene suggests the following or beginning of something unforeseen or unpredictable.

unable to continue because of supervening circumstances

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 ensue What happened: On the Commanders' ensuing drive, Daniels picked up 30 yards on a huge 4th-and-11 conversion, setting up a TD that cut the Birds' lead to 27-21. —

Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 24 Jan. 2025 An ensuing civil grand jury trial pressured her into not seeking a seventh term and eventually concluded with her being formally removed from office in 2022. —

Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025 There were interlopers in the ensuing years, but none had more than supporting roles, until Chrysler announced a radical concept in 1989 at the North American International Auto Show. —

Robert Ross, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2025 The committee and the conference commissioners who oversee officiating have been reluctant to implement rules that would force players who stop play by going down with apparent injuries to sit out multiple ensuing plays or maybe even the rest of a series. —

Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for ensue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensue

Verb

Before the action began, the proverbial ball was in Robert Lewandowski's court, who led the table with nine goals, followed by his Barcelona team-mate Raphinha with eight and Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy with seven.

— Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025
The faults at 6:10 p.m. and again at 6:11 p.m. coincided with two flashes in the vicinity of the transmission lines seen in a video captured by a camera at an Arco gas station in the moments before the Eaton fire began, followed by flames near the base of high-voltage transmission towers.

— Ivan Penn, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2025