ENSUE Synonyms: 11 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'ensue' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of ensue are follow , succeed , and supervene . While all these words mean "to come after something or someone," ensue commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally expected development. // after the talk a general discussion ensued

Q: When can 'follow' be used instead of 'ensue'?

In some situations, the words follow and ensue are roughly equivalent. However, follow may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical sequence. // speeches followed the dinner

Q: When might 'succeed' be a better fit than 'ensue'?

The meanings of succeed and ensue largely overlap; however, 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

Q: When would 'supervene' be a good substitute for 'ensue'?

Although the words supervene and ensue have much in common, supervene suggests the following or beginning of something unforeseen or unpredictable. // unable to continue because of supervening circumstances

ensue

verb

Definition of ensue

as in to follow

to come at a later time; to happen as a result When the news broke, a long period of chaos ensued.

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How is the word ensue different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of ensue are follow, succeed, and supervene. While all these words mean "to come after something or someone," ensue commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally expected development.

after the talk a general discussion ensued

When can follow be used instead of ensue?

In some situations, the words follow and ensue are roughly equivalent. However, follow may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical sequence.

speeches followed the dinner

When might succeed be a better fit than ensue?

The meanings of succeed and ensue largely overlap; however, 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

When would supervene be a good substitute for ensue?

Although the words supervene and ensue have much in common, supervene suggests the following or beginning of something unforeseen or unpredictable.

unable to continue because of supervening circumstances

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 ensue But on the ensuing kickoff, Evans’ Brian Dillard went 90 yards to score. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 Trillions of dollars flowed into those products in the ensuing decades, but bank deposits are higher than ever. — Omid Malekan, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 Romantic, criminal and naughty hijinks ensue and bonds are tested — and ultimately reinforced. — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Those quarterfinals are best-of-three, before turning into single elimination for the ensuing rounds. — John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ensue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensue

Verb

The frenzy followed Beijing’s decision in the mid-1980s to ban imports of almost all blood products – except human albumin – amid growing fears over the global HIV/AIDS crisis.

— CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
The group’s work with firefighters began following a 2017 blaze that destroyed thousands of homes in California’s wine country.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of follow

Verb

Genesis also argued that the county lacked authority to revoke the permits because federal law supersedes local regulations.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
However, such designs may now be superseded by austere sites that allow agents to act efficiently on our behalf.

— George C. Lee II, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of supersede

Verb

Until China can produce or replace enough plasma of its own, tens of millions of patients needing human albumin, like Ge’s family, will remain heavily reliant on the vital fluid typically drawn from hard-up Americans.

— CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Until then, the options to replace Weathers aren’t the most appealing.

— Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of replace

Verb

But over time, people’s loyalty to online brands may be supplanted by the efficacy of their interfaces for agents.

— George C. Lee II, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
The e-Gear, which utilized paddle shifters, allowed for rapid gear changes without the use of a clutch pedal and would soon supplant the manual as the marque’s transmission of choice.

— Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of supplant

Verb

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that about 10 percent of Chocó’s population — 69,000 people — were affected or displaced by the earthquake, per AP.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
Four families are displaced and the American Red Cross is on the scene providing assistance.

— Joe Brandt, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of displace

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“Ensue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ensue. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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