achieve

verb

ə-ˈchēv How to pronounce achieve (audio)
Definition of achievenext
1
as in to attain
to obtain (as a goal) through effort finally achieved stardom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to accomplish
to carry through (as a process) to completion finally achieved his purpose, which was to form a first-class boys' choir made up of inner-city kids

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 balancing act is a startling visual and seems almost impossible to achieve in real life. —James Russell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 May 2025 Farewell From Dodger Stadium at the 2023 Emmy Awards, becoming the 19th person to achieve the feat. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2025 Meanwhile, a bloc of moderate Republicans is demanding no reductions in Medicaid benefits – a requirement experts say would be impossible to meet while achieving Republicans' spending-cut goals and other GOP priorities. —Riley Beggin, USA Today, 10 May 2025 The character has gotten a promotion and is achieving this new dream. —Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for achieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for achieve
  1. attain
  2. win
  3. gain
  4. fulfill
  5. make
  6. perform
  7. execute
  8. do
Verb
  • Biden, once again for being Biden, will not unrealistically attain access to drugs and treatment that will elongate his own life.
    — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • The fact that the team had only participated in 12 races prior to 2010 highlights how, in this F1 era and within a relatively compressed segment of the world championship’s 75-year history, only Mercedes and Red Bull have attained true superteam status.
    — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Definition of attain
Verb
  • Harvard has fought back in the courts, winning a temporary restraining order on May 23 that will allow international enrollments to continue as the case makes its way through the courts.
    — Davis Winkie, USA Today, 27 May 2025
  • Miami was 15-15 in early April and had won just two of its first nine games in Atlantic Coast Conference play.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 26 May 2025
Definition of win
Verb
  • The show lost Samantha (under less than amicable circumstances), as well as actress Kim Cattrall, and gained a number of supporting characters of color.
    — Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 30 May 2025
  • After her parents went away to serve their time, Savannah gained custody of both Grayson and Chloe.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
Definition of gain
Verb
  • This not only fulfills regulatory requirements but also reassures investors about the company's commitment to safeguarding assets and information.
    — Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • Ultimately, hundreds of thousands of potential buyers chose not to fulfill their orders, and many of them could have had reasons related to the EV's design flaws.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 24 May 2025
Definition of fulfill
Verb
  • Corporate earnings Shares of UnitedHealth closed down 5.1% after reports that the company made secret payments to nursing homes to reduce hospital transfers.
    — Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • The brand makes our favorite down comforter, the best budget bamboo sheets, and the best affordable linen sheets.
    — Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 22 May 2025
Definition of make
Verb
  • This has forced the library system to pay a contractor $1,500 per month to power-wash the area outside the branch twice a week during the morning hours after previously relying on in-house personnel to perform the task.
    — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 23 May 2025
  • The subjects could only perform those tasks while wearing the special contact lenses.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2025
Definition of perform
Verb
  • The Syrian government even returned the belongings of the Israeli spy Eli Cohen, who was executed in Damascus in 1965 after his espionage was discovered, in a goodwill gesture.
    — Natasha Hall, Foreign Affairs, 27 May 2025
  • The bride clarified that each idea only took about a minute to execute if not less time.
    — Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of execute
Verb
  • But then, proving the impossible possible is what these films have done from the start.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 May 2025
  • The pair's journey on Teen Mom has shown what a year of struggling to get pregnant did to Cheyenne and Zach, both as individuals and as a married couple.
    — Angela Andaloro, People.com, 23 May 2025
Definition of do

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achievable
achieve
achieved
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Cite this Entry

“Achieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/achieve. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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