supervene

verb

ˌsü-pər-ˈvēn How to pronounce supervene (audio)
Definition of supervenenext
as in to follow
to come after in time it was not the slow-spreading cancer that caused his death but a supervening heart attack

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of supervene are ensue, follow, and succeed. While all these words mean "to come after something or someone," supervene suggests the following or beginning of something unforeseen or unpredictable.

unable to continue because of supervening circumstances

When could ensue be used to replace supervene?

In some situations, the words ensue and supervene are roughly equivalent. However, ensue commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally expected development.

after the talk a general discussion ensued

In what contexts can follow take the place of supervene?

While the synonyms follow and supervene are close in meaning, follow may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical sequence.

speeches followed the dinner

When is succeed a more appropriate choice than supervene?

Although the words succeed and supervene have much in common, 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

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 supervene The reaction One aftereffect Stanley likely did not forecast was the supervening middle-school bullying. —Scott Hocker, theweek, 8 Feb. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supervene
  1. follow
  2. succeed
  3. replace
Verb
  • Shut out of control of the White House and both chambers of Congress, Democrats are seeking to rebuild their brand with the American electorate following a poor performance during the 2024 presidential election.
    — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Never follow your boyfriend to college, especially a seemingly mediocre college, as Belly does with Jeremiah to the fictional Finch.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of follow
Verb
  • One anecdote does well to illustrate the apparent association between donating to Newsom and succeeding in California.
    — Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Should that succeed, Relli could be ordered to cover Rocky’s substantial legal costs.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of succeed
Verb
  • Ryan was replaced in the third inning by right-handed reliever — and former Royal — Thomas Hatch.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Our testers especially loved that the granules are packaged in an ergonomic plastic jug that makes lifting and tilting it a breeze when replacing the litter.
    — Kayla Blanton, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of replace

Browse Nearby Words

supertaxes
supervene
supervened
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Cite this Entry

“Supervene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supervene. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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