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 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
  1. attain
  2. win
  3. gain
  4. fulfill
  5. make
  6. perform
  7. execute
  8. do
Verb
  • These are only a few examples of the deep ties between higher education and the founding generation; approximately half of them attained some form of it—an impressively high level of advanced learning for the time.
    — Time, Time, 1 July 2025
  • Radar provides real-time reads on inventory continuously, and the kind of data that otherwise would only attained online through e-commerce.
    — David Moin, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
Definition of attain
Verb
  • The book also won the Goodreads Choice Award for Romance, was listed as one of the best books of 2021 by Kirkus Reviews, and is the author’s first to go into production for film or TV.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 1 July 2025
  • What’s better than buying winning lottery jackpot tickets?
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Definition of win
Verb
  • 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
  • The Aperol spritz has gained a reputation for being a healthier alternative to other cocktails.
    — Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 5 July 2025
Definition of gain
Verb
  • Committee Chairman Tim Walberg, R-Mich., first sent a letter to Schill to testify in April, accusing Northwestern of failing to fulfill its commitment to protect Jewish students.
    — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • Many hotels in the city are required to have clean-air transportation as part of their development agreement, which ATN fulfills.
    — Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 27 June 2025
Definition of fulfill
Verb
  • Square Peg co-founders Ari Aster and Lars Knudsen want to help make aspiring filmmakers’ dreams come true.
    — Rance Collins, IndieWire, 8 July 2025
  • 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
Definition of make
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
  • The show features five drag queens, each performing two of Swift's eras.
    — Bryan West, The Tennessean, 9 July 2025
Definition of perform
Verb
  • Despite various avenues of communication and the increasingly digital process of creating denim, a gap persists between designers and the people executing their designs.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 1 July 2025
  • For aspiring entrepreneurs, the platform provides a roadmap—from evaluating whether an idea is viable and profitable, to determining the necessary steps and legal requirements to operate in specific markets, and how to successfully execute the business plan.
    — Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Definition of execute
Verb
  • The reason for Atlanta’s acidic soil as compared to L.A.’s alkaline soil has to do with the amount of rainfall in these two cities.
    — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 June 2025
  • Apps which are meant to make users safer and more secure but are doing the very opposite.
    — Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 28 June 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://x0upouf933.proxynodejs.usequeue.com/thesaurus/achieve. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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