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 But Wild struggles to make sure that its recklessness is attached to art that is consistently accomplished. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026 The company never fails to emphasize that its frequent interventions are designed to provide a more accurate picture of media consumption—which, as everyone at least seems to agree, is what it’s accomplished with its out-of-home measurement. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026 The three-time Olympic gold medalist celebrated accomplishing the feat, though there was a small caveat. Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026 For certain authors and publishers, including Twain, that was accomplished through subscription publishing, with door-to-door canvassers taking orders for books before they were printed. Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accomplish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accomplish
Verb
  • Westman Atelier has achieved a lot on its own, rising to the top of the ranks in complexion and lip.
    Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • When Jean Smart‘s Hacks character Deborah Vance finally achieved her dream of hosting a Late Night show in Season 4, Markoe could relate, and then some.
    Merrill Markoe, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The government is yet to fulfil a promise that women will be issued licenses to ride motorbikes.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Music has a unique ability to bring people together, and knowing this concert can have a meaningful impact beyond the stage is incredibly fulfilling.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • It was developed through the Midpoint Series Launch and is a Cold War thriller about the career of Latvian surgeon Viktors Kalnbērzs, who performed the Soviet Union’s first gender-affirming surgery in Riga in the early 1970s.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Music is also a big component, with 10 bands on two stages performing each day.
    Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Since 2007, Japan has begun disclosing the names of those executed and some details of their crimes, but disclosures are still limited.
    CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Over time, the company may still execute effectively within individual channels while those channels move in different directions.
    Don Dodds, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But not before the former cheerleader caught a pass from Tebow and immediately did a split, drawing cheers from her favorite quarterback.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
  • But the band fury is as climactic as anything that could be done continuing to have the full ensemble play… and Dudamel looked happy enough to put his baton down, turn around and just watch the group play for a few minutes.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • And artists deserve a fair pay percentage for work that assists their employers in making profits.
    Pat Saperstein, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Republicans hope to pick up four more House districts in November after the state redrew its congressional map earlier this year and made those districts more GOP-friendly.
    Emily Chang, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The study’s authors used data from the first six months of 2026 on grocery purchases in 15,000 households using SNAP benefits, of which 3,291 were in 10 states that had implemented new restrictions.
    Sarah Todd, STAT, 24 Aug. 2026
  • That bill will likely face industry pushback, CNBC suggested, since cloud providers would bear the cost of that new compliance regime, including implementing better know-your-customer protocols.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Accomplish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accomplish. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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