ensue

verb

en·​sue in-ˈsü How to pronounce ensue (audio)
en-
ensued; ensuing
Synonyms of ensue

transitive verb

: to strive to attain : pursue
I wander, seeking peace, and ensuing it.—Rupert Brooke

intransitive verb

: to take place afterward or as a result
Choose the Right Synonym for ensue

follow, succeed, ensue, supervene mean to come after something or someone.

follow may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical sequence.

speeches followed the dinner

succeed implies a coming after immediately in a sequence determined by natural order, inheritance, election, or laws of rank.

she succeeded her father as head of the business

ensue commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally expected development.

after the talk a general discussion ensued

supervene suggests the following or beginning of something unforeseen or unpredictable.

unable to continue because of supervening circumstances

Examples of ensue in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Gilligan’s Island, American television sitcom about a group of castaways on a desert island and the chaos that ensues as their attempts at rescue are constantly thwarted. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026 The Snakeman™ has spent the ensuing decades on a naming spree that is very much still in progress. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 An impromptu protest ensued outside the Tarrant County Commissioners Courtroom on Tuesday after County Judge Tim O’Hare kicked out all members of the public from the meeting for disrupting decorum. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Aug. 2026 During an ensuing confrontation, Walker was shot multiple times and later pronounced dead. — Joe Brandt, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ensue

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French ensivre (3rd singular ensiut), from en- + sivre to follow — more at sue

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of ensue was in the 14th century

Rhymes for ensue

See All Rhymes for ensue

Browse Nearby Words

ensuant
ensue
ensuingly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ensue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ensue. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ensue

verb
en·​sue in-ˈsü How to pronounce ensue (audio)
ensued; ensuing
: to come at a later time or as a result : follow
ensuing effects

More from Merriam-Webster on ensue

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ensue

Nglish: Translation of ensue for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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