PERFORM Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'perform' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of perform are accomplish , achieve , discharge , effect , execute , and fulfill . While all these words mean "to carry out or into effect," perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill. // performed gymnastics

Q: When would 'accomplish' be a good substitute for 'perform'?

The meanings of accomplish and perform largely overlap; however, accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out. // accomplished everything they set out to do

Q: How are the words 'achieve' and 'accomplish' related as synonyms of 'perform'?

Achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties. // achieve greatness

Q: Where would 'discharge' be a reasonable alternative to 'perform'?

The words discharge and perform are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks. // discharged his duties

Q: How do 'effect' and 'achieve' relate to one another, in the sense of 'perform'?

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

Q: When might 'execute' be a better fit than 'perform'?

The synonyms execute and perform are sometimes interchangeable, but execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent. // executed the hit-and-run

Q: In what contexts can 'fulfill' take the place of 'perform'?

Although the words fulfill and perform have much in common, fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities. // fulfilled their ambitions

perform

verb

pər-ˈfȯrm

Definition of perform

as in to execute

to carry through (as a process) to completion she performed the task quickly and expertly

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to act

to have a certain purpose the kidneys perform as a filtering system for the blood

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to play

to present a portrayal or performance of has always dreamed of performing Hamlet on stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to work

to produce a desired effect the new medication performed surprisingly well

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb perform contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of perform are accomplish, achieve, discharge, effect, execute, and fulfill. While all these words mean "to carry out or into effect," perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill.

performed gymnastics

When would accomplish be a good substitute for perform?

The meanings of accomplish and perform largely overlap; however, 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 as synonyms of perform?

Achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

Where would discharge be a reasonable alternative to perform?

The words discharge and perform are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 perform?

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

effected sweeping reforms

When might execute be a better fit than perform?

The synonyms execute and perform are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 perform?

Although the words fulfill and perform have much in common, fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

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 perform He was kept alive by his wife, who performed CPR until paramedics arrived. — Pj Green august 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026 Astronauts hiding in the shelter wouldn’t be able to move around or perform mission operations. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026 Researchers will next study how the yarns perform when processed into textiles and whether they can be recycled thermomechanically at the end of their useful lives. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026 Additionally, Gemini will be able to perform basic functions even when the watch is offline, such as managing timers and alarms or starting a workout. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perform

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perform

Verb

Bobby’s color palette is bizarre, and her idea of a sash that transforms into a shawl scarf is really cool but executed poorly.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
Adding a dose of Rosenwald’s no-nonsense business acumen to our current efforts to execute good works would really help.

— Harold Pollack, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of execute

Verb

With the leading models becoming ever more powerful, their ability to act in malicious ways is turning into a major threat for corporations and governments, especially as the risk involves hacking into critical computer systems and infrastructure.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
The short-term goal is to host performances by local country acts each month.

— DeAsia Paige, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of act

Verb

Phoenix guard Kelsey Plum did not play against the team that traded her a little over a week ago.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Knizner had been playing for Boston’s Triple-A affiliate but exercised his opt-out last week (before Susac’s injury), becoming a free agent.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of play

Verb

In May 2023, Serbia and Kosovo reached an agreement which included commitments by both sides to clarify the fate of the missing, but Kosovo and Serbia have accused each other of stalling efforts to work together.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office alleges Hilliard stole $9,510 while working as the administrator of Colorado’s Nike Elite program from 2021 to 2025.

— Matt Moret, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of work

Verb

Over the weekend, Tehran’s national security chief Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr issued a list of demands for the US to fulfill before Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Bally’s intends to fulfill its obligations under the host agreement, according to sources, including the buildout of the gleaming 34-story hotel, which has already risen up to full height along the Chicago River at the future casino site.

— Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of fulfill

Verb

The rapper, born Kentrell Gaulden, was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison with credit for time served dating back to at least May 2024.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026
Earlier this week, the EFL confirmed it had been served with legal proceedings by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) over changes enacted in League One, with the PFA citing insufficient consultation on the rule amendments.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of serve

Verb

Hundreds of pages of grand jury transcripts portray Tupac Shakur's shooting as a culmination of a longstanding feud between rival record labels Death Row Records and Bad Boy Records and rival gang sects Mob Piru and South Side Compton Crips.

— CBS News, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Juno Temple portrays supermodel and eventual public relations expert Keeley Jones.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of portray

Verb

Firestar operated a large factory inside Surat’s Special Economic Zone, a duty-free enclave that allowed the company to cut, polish and manufacture jewelry for export markets.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Oznur Bell One of the journey’s guides, who was operating the vessel, spotted the hippo and slowed the boat in an attempt not to disturb it, Oznur said.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of operate

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perforce

perform

performance

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“Perform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perform. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of perform

verb

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