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 winner in this category, The Oberoi Cruises, with five-star sailings on the Nile, achieved one of the top scores in the entire World’s Best Awards survey for 2025. Fran Golden, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025 Another, Davis, achieved eligibility last fall by crossing the 25% threshold of Latino enrollment. Michael Burke, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025 By Monday evening, the fire crew has achieved full containment of the blaze. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2025 The non-stick surface is also achieved naturally, without the use of any chemicals to coat the pan. Izzy Baskette, People.com, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for achieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for achieve
Verb
  • This practical wisdom links knowing what is right and acting on that knowledge to attain human happiness or flourishing.
    Bruno V. Manno, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • What sets Prepared Food Photos apart is its effort to attain perfection in every photograph.
    Molly Peck, USA Today, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Two, the Padres can win a wild-card playoff berth without adding a catcher.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • Until Sunday’s Wimbledon final, Jannik Sinner had won all three of his major singles titles on hardcourts.
    Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • The July 1 report suggests that while most Americans will see tax savings in the short term, high-income households stand to gain the most.
    Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 5 July 2025
  • But that brief overlap sparked a lifelong friendship, and Gallagher watched from afar over the years as Brewer gained prominence in the San Diego legal community.
    Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Trump was elected to fulfill certain promises on immigration.
    W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025
  • The subpoenas are part of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department and the White House to fulfill President Donald Trump’s promises to curtail pediatric gender care.
    Azeen Ghorayshi, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • But this year’s first-round pick, Dallas Wings All-Star guard Paige Bueckers, makes the draw even bigger on Aug. 1 when these teams are set to face off in Dallas.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
  • And to make every departure and arrival a smooth, stumble-free, and social media–worthy occasion, this throne also swivels 45 degrees—like that of a 1960 Chrysler—to ease ingress and egress.
    Brett Berk, Robb Report, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • The military branch is slated to perform its first-ever refueling of a U.S. military asset in orbit as early as next summer.
    Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
  • Cincy Blues Fest is taking place in Fairfield, Teddy Swims is performing at the Icon Festival Stage in Smale Park, and rappers Wiz Khalifa and Sean Paul are teaming up to deliver one heck of a performance at Riverbend Music Center.
    Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • The procedural process on the Senate floor is also complicated with limited time to execute.
    Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 14 July 2025
  • Now, Trump and his education secretary, Linda McMahon, are free to execute the layoffs and break up the department’s work among other federal agencies.
    Collin Binkley, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • There are many ways to do this—on an external hard drive, in the cloud, Dropbox, iCloud, and Amazon Photos, which is free with Prime membership.
    Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2025
  • Humanoid robots, because they are designed to mirror parts of the human body, have more axes—or joints—on them than many other form factors, like robotic arms or other AMRs do.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Achieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/achieve. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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