accomplish

verb

ac·com·plish ə-ˈkäm-plish

-ˈkəm-

accomplished; accomplishing; accomplishes

Synonyms of accomplish next

transitive verb

: to bring about (a result) by effort

have much to accomplish today

: to bring to completion : fulfill

accomplish a job

: to succeed in reaching (a stage in a progression)

would starve before accomplishing half the distance—

W. H. Hudson †1922

archaic

: to equip thoroughly

: perfect

accomplishable

ə-ˈkäm-pli-shə-bəl

-ˈkəm-

adjective

accomplisher noun

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.

If a startup has been around for a year and has accomplished almost nothing, that’s another huge red flag. —

Nick Bereza, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Doyle joined Cleveland’s Steven Kwan (2022-23) and Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki (2001-02) in accomplishing that feat. —

Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 3 Nov. 2024 Even if Democrats win both chambers, Harris would still have some obstacles to accomplishing big things. —

Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024 The campaign was finishing with an aggressive telephone drive to inform voters of what Measure H had accomplished, said Tommy Newman, United Way vice president for public affairs. —

Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 2 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

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Accomplish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accomplish. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

accomplish

verb

ac·com·plish ə-ˈkäm-plish

-ˈkəm-

: to bring to a successful finish : perform

accomplishable

-ə-bəl

adjective

Last Updated: 13 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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accomplish

verb

Synonyms

Examples of accomplish in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near accomplish

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition