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

Relevance

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 series has achieved audience growth weekly, including a 43% increase in views in seven days for Episode 8 compared to the premiere. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 15 May 2026 The path ahead is not working harder and good things will come, but trying to avoid being profiled by the color of your skin in order to follow a path that somewhat resembles what others have to achieve the dream. —Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026 This group originated around 140 million years ago, achieved a global distribution and, around 90 million years ago, became the only sauropods left worldwide, thriving until the dinosaur age ended 66 million years ago with an asteroid impact. —Reuters, NBC news, 15 May 2026 The Chinese Premier has also not ruled out using force to achieve that aim. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for achieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for achieve
  1. attain
  2. accomplish
  3. win
  4. fulfill
  5. gain
  6. perform
  7. make
  8. execute
Verb
  • Fabio Di Giannantonio managed to attain a first-place finish despite pieces of Marquez’s bike hitting him during the crash.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
  • Before entering law enforcement, Bales served as an armored cavalry officer in the Army and attained the rank of captain.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Definition of attain
Verb
  • This journey culminated in the 2018 production at Glyndebourne, which accomplished the feat of finally reducing (most of) the London critics to abashed admiration.
    — Russell Platt, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
  • While the Cavaliers haven’t accomplished their ultimate goal of winning the NBA Finals, things are looking good for them right now, even after their game one loss to the New York Knicks.
    — Steve Bradshaw, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Definition of accomplish
Verb
  • Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Democratic nomination for governor on Tuesday, stunning the field by avoiding the runoff her rivals had hoped would expose lingering doubts about her ability to win in November.
    — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 20 May 2026
  • Occupying four townhouses, its two-year refurbishment by award-winning architects Holland Harvey and interior designers Studio Est and Studio Mica has created something warm and true to its heritage yet modern, nature-focused and committed to social impact.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026
Definition of win
Verb
  • The casual-natured yet sharp staff seem genuinely happy to be working in frigid, off-grid Antarctica, and someone’s always around to fulfill a request, answer questions or engage in organic chit-chat in the main hub.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 May 2026
  • By nearly all industry metrics, Colbert has fulfilled the job duties he was given — and then some.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 May 2026
Definition of fulfill
Verb
  • In Germany itself, neo-Nazis are gaining ground.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • Rookie Gabriela Jaquez scored a team-high 20 points to go with eight rebounds for the Sky, who gained a 40-38 lead just before halftime and never trailed again.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 18 May 2026
Definition of gain
Verb
  • Catalina suffers from an unspecified mental disability, which Saavedra, who is not handicapped, performs in an arguably inappropriate register of fidgety hands and shifty-eyed glances.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 16 May 2026
  • Fighters — draped in elaborate costumes and protective charms believed to ward off injury and channel spiritual power — perform to the beat of sabar drums, emphasizing the sport’s spiritual side, which for many is as important as the fight itself.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 May 2026
Definition of perform
Verb
  • That makes advertising and marketing by far their biggest expense.
    — Luke Connors, Washington Post, 19 May 2026
  • Like ballet flats, these shoes have a low-profile silhouette, which will make a sweet complement to breezy blouses and midi skirts in the summer months.
    — Aaron Royce, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
Definition of make
Verb
  • The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that search warrants were executed in relation to VC Defensa but did not answer questions about the nature of the investigation.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
  • Advertisement Another key decision that the administration will need to make, Sandweg said, is how much freedom the White House is willing to give the next director in executing its immigration policies.
    — Philip Wang, Time, 18 May 2026
Definition of execute

Browse Nearby Words

achievable
achieve
achieved
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Achieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/achieve. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on achieve

Nglish: Translation of achieve for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fraught

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Regarding the Incorrect Use of 'Decimate'

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Strange Words for Body Functions

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

What to Call the Inept, Incompetent, and Inferior

The Words of the Week - May 22

Insults and Compliments from Recent Slang
See More

Popular

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Strange Words for Body Functions

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
puzzle-piece-road
Missing Link Quiz May 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All