accomplish

verb

ac·​com·​plish ə-ˈkäm-plish How to pronounce accomplish (audio) -ˈkəm- How to pronounce accomplish (audio)
accomplished; accomplishing; accomplishes
Synonyms of accomplishnext

transitive verb

1
: to bring about (a result) by effort
have much to accomplish today
2
: to bring to completion : fulfill
accomplish a job
3
: to succeed in reaching (a stage in a progression)
would starve before accomplishing half the distance—W. H. Hudson †1922
4
archaic
a
: to equip thoroughly
b
: perfect
accomplishable
ə-ˈkäm-pli-shə-bəl How to pronounce accomplish (audio)
-ˈkəm-
adjective
accomplisher noun

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for accomplish

perform, execute, discharge, accomplish, achieve, effect, fulfill 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

execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

executed the hit-and-run

discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

discharged his duties

accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

accomplished everything they set out to do

achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

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

effected sweeping reforms

fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

Examples of accomplish in a Sentence

There are several different ways to accomplish the same task. Exactly what he thought he would accomplish is unclear.
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.
City leaders are focused on partnering with the Texas Department of Transportation to accomplish design and technology improvements along the RIM 620 corridor. —Glen Koen, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 Tariffs can impact these goals (though not without creating other problems), but there is no way tariffs can accomplish them all simultaneously. —Adam A. Millsap, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Because there’s a huge, huge difference between what the most and least effective charities can accomplish with donations. —Dylan Matthews, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024 Many of Trump’s top priorities can be accomplished through executive action. —Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 13 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for accomplish 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English acomplicen, accomplisshen, borrowed from Anglo-French acomplis-, stem of acomplir, acumplir, from a-, prefix forming transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + complir, cumplir "to complete, fulfill," going back (with conjugation change) to Latin complēre "to fill up, complete" — more at complete entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of accomplish was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near accomplish

accomplice

accomplish

accomplished

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Accomplish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accomplish. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

accomplish

verb
ac·​com·​plish ə-ˈkäm-plish How to pronounce accomplish (audio) -ˈkəm- How to pronounce accomplish (audio)
: to bring to a successful finish : perform
accomplishable
-ə-bəl How to pronounce accomplish (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on accomplish

Nglish: Translation of accomplish for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of accomplish for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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