ensue

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

Synonym Chooser

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 State and federal courts rejected appeals in the ensuing years. Jim Saunders, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2025 The ensuing corner kick failed to produce another clean look at the goal, and a would-be breakaway in extra time was negated when Jenna Nighswonger was called offsides. Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025 Accompanied by her clumsy cameraman Manu (Jean-Baptiste Shelmerdine), colorful investigations ensue. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2025 An altercation ensued during which Feliz appeared to be attempting to drive away, at which point Rivera tased Feliz, entered the vehicle, then fatally shot Feliz in the chest. Colleen Hamilton, Them, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ensue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensue
Verb
  • Three medical experts testified in January that Geyser was no longer a threat to the public following considerable progress.
    Doha Madani, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Sam Das, United States, 2024 A young trans woman is chased into a junkyard while being followed home late at night.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Aurora Phelps is in custody in Mexico and has been charged in a 21-count superseding indictment for the deadly scam, the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada said in a press release on Friday, Feb. 21.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025
  • This motion, filed on Tuesday (Feb. 18), came after a superseding indictment was issued last month which added two new victims to his case.
    Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Murphy switched to No. 59 the next season and wore it until mid-2021, when the Brewers brought right-handed reliever John Axford back, then switched to No. 21 last season after replacing Counsell as the Brewers' manager.
    Andrew Wagner, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • But for Cybertruck owners, the situation is more complicated, pushing some to get creative by some removing the Tesla logo or replacing it with a badge from another brand, despite the Cybertruck being among the most recognizable vehicles on the road.
    Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • This is laying the foundation for new stories will supplant the current cinematic slate that simply isn't capturing audiences' attention.
    Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
  • As traditional state dollars were extracted from core programs to accumulate savings mandated by budget controls, lawmakers supplanted those funds with pandemic grants to ease the pain.
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • By the end of 2023, 47.3 million children had been displaced by conflict and violence.
    Sarah Ferguson, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Many others have been displaced, scattered throughout Los Angeles County and elsewhere in California, from San Diego to Sacramento.
    Jason DeRose, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ensue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ensue. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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