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 Broncos didn’t achieve that goal, allowing Butler to go 13-for-31 (41.9%) from beyond the perimeter. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2025 One of the big reasons for this, say three McKinsey consultants, is that... Post Buy Copies The numbers tell the story: Women achieved educational parity with men more than 40 years ago and today are outperforming men in formal educational settings. —Kweilin Ellingrud, Harvard Business Review, 3 Apr. 2025 At this point, achieving half that number might be a stretch. —ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2025 The pair took home GRAMMY Awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year, the second time a Hip-Hop artist achieved that feat . —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 2 Apr. 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
  • Best of all, Priority Pass membership is a lot easier to attain than elite status with an airline.
    — Paul Rubio, AFAR Media, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Inflation stands well below a peak attained in 2022, though price increases register nearly a percentage point higher than the Fed's goal of 2%.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of attain
Verb
  • Federer had to wait five months from winning the Swiss Indoors in October 2018 to the Dubai Championships in March 2019 to complete the century.
    — Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • According to Klos, all of the last 13 winners have gained at least 18 strokes tee-to-green in their four tournaments prior to winning at Augusta National.
    — Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of win
Verb
  • The strategy is straightforward: invest at least $2,000 in a company's stock to gain shareholder rights, then submit resolutions pushing for corporate responsibility.
    — Doc Louallen, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Many victims reported Crawley used his professional status and charismatic personality to gain trust, create an illusion of financial stability and ultimately exploit those relationships for personal gain, the release states.
    — Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of gain
Verb
  • Jason's presence could fulfill an ancient prophecy of a Seeker who will use the staff to free the Monkey King.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Reaching out and connecting with another person fulfills a basic human need for belonging and validation.
    — Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of fulfill
Verb
  • For a list of stock recommendations like these made in The Prudent Speculator, visit theprudentspeculator.com.
    — John Buckingham, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • While her 25-year-old brother Presley Gerber was missing from the group outing, Kaia and her parents made their presence known on the red carpet at the Winter Garden Theatre, matching in black ensembles.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of make
Verb
  • Tina also revealed that the officiant for the event was her minister, Rudy Rasmus, who also performed the ceremony for Tina and Solange.
    — Emy LaCroix, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Among the musicians who will perform at them are Brubeck’s son, trombonist Chris, singer Shenel Johns, Jazz at Lincoln Center saxophonist Camille Thurman, singer Vuyo Sotashe, singer C. Anthony Bryant and actor Daniel J. Watts.
    — Jane Levere, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of perform
Verb
  • The Constitution says that the president, the chief executive, shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.
    — Samantha Riedel, Them., 28 Mar. 2025
  • Mikal Mahdi, who pleaded guilty to murder for killing a police officer in 2004, is scheduled to be executed April 11.
    — Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of execute
Verb
  • Due to the lack of upsets, Johnny Avello, an oddsmaker at DraftKings, said the bettor has done will this year due to a popular trend.
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • No matter your best intentions, the fact remains that styles change, as do our tastes.
    — Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of do

Browse Nearby Words

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 16 Apr. 2025.

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