accomplish

Definition of accomplishnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb accomplish contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of accomplish are achieve, discharge, effect, execute, fulfill, and perform. While all these words mean "to carry out or into effect," accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

accomplished everything they set out to do

How are the words achieve and accomplish related?

Achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

When might discharge be a better fit than accomplish?

The synonyms discharge and accomplish are sometimes interchangeable, but discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

discharged his duties

How do effect and achieve relate to one another, in the sense of accomplish?

Effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles.

effected sweeping reforms

When can execute be used instead of accomplish?

While in some cases nearly identical to accomplish, execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

executed the hit-and-run

In what contexts can fulfill take the place of accomplish?

The words fulfill and accomplish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

When could perform be used to replace accomplish?

The words perform and accomplish can be used in similar contexts, but 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 accomplish This is a testament to what a skilled character actor can accomplish with limited screen time. Clayton Davis, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026 Mission accomplished, demonstratively. Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Mar. 2026 Mission accomplished, considering many of the players listed above were 30 or older. Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026 To accomplish that, UCF will return to basics. Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accomplish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accomplish
Verb
  • Her early death, after an illness that the father initially contrives to ignore then notices just in time to capture her desperation in a fine sketch, leaves Mimí utterly disoriented, yearning only to achieve a level of self-control and detachment that will spare him their tumultuous struggle.
    Tim Parks, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Mexico’s Environmental Ministry confirmed to AP that the goal is to achieve that designation in 2026.
    Ryan Brennan April 4, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Sachs said additional data about Idahoans would likely have to be collected to fulfill the requirements.
    Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The once-largest navy in the world had to borrow a warship from Germany to fulfill its NATO obligations to patrol the North Atlantic.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • While many people have been introduced to English choral services through the angelic voices of the choristers in flowing robes and Elizabethan ruffs who sing at royal weddings and carol services, choirs perform every day in much more humble settings.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
  • This year, the ritual was performed by his successor, Leo XIV, the first American Pope.
    Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • This year, Florida has already executed four people and has three other cases with death warrants signed.
    Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Billy Leon Kearse, 53, was executed on March 17 for the death of Fort Pierce police officer Danny Parrish during a 1991 traffic stop.
    Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The fact that the President is now signalling a messy retreat has nothing to do with insufficient lethality and everything to do with politics—in particular, the alarm in the global oil markets and the American public’s widespread opposition to the war.
    Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • If a friend volunteers input, accept their assistance with gratitude rather than doing everything alone for the best results.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Mars may try to push you into making an overly ambitious to-do list, so be sure to let the Moon in that more peaceful sector remind you to take a break!
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • But what is ultimately to be gained by making this a hammy, Neil Simon-esque romp?
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Practices often idealized for their organic nature can still have environmental impacts if they are not properly implemented.
    Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
  • This phase is designed to address deficiencies identified during initial operations, complete technical refinements, and implement maintenance or system adjustments before the platform transitions into a regular deployment cycle.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Accomplish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accomplish. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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