perform

verb

pər-ˈfȯrm How to pronounce perform (audio)
Definition of performnext
1
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
2
as in to act
to have a certain purpose the kidneys perform as a filtering system for the blood

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to play
to present a portrayal or performance of has always dreamed of performing Hamlet on stage

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
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’s also set to perform at the Bésame Mucho Festival in Austin, Texas on April 5. —Griselda Flores, Billboard, 11 Mar. 2025 In February, Boone — who was nominated for best new artist at the 2025 Grammy Awards — spoke with PEOPLE about his excitement around performing during the big night. —Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025 Wonder gave short speech before performing two songs during the service. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2025 Other performances were more obviously cathartic, such as the aptly named ‘Emergency Concert’ performed by Treppenhaus Quartet from Germany. —Anna Haines, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perform
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perform
  1. execute
  2. act
  3. play
  4. work
  5. serve
  6. portray
  7. operate
  8. function
Verb
  • Now, the software/SaaS vendor is responsible for a larger part of the technology stack, which includes the complete environment in which the application code executes (e.g., everything from hardware and network infrastructure to the operating system and application software).
    — Ben Verghese, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The crime Sigmon, 67, is being executed for the 2001 baseball bat killings of his ex-girlfriend's parents at their home in Greenville County.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of execute
Verb
  • Thornton plays the titular landman of the series, a fixer who keeps things running and acts as an intermediary between the field workers and the money men in the oil industry.
    — Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Reeves is John Wick, but that doesn't mean that the world that is currently being built around the famed assassin doesn't have others that could act as de facto John Wick.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of act
Verb
  • Also, Foley dealt with concussion symptoms and never played in the NHL.
    — Jeremy Rutherford, The Athletic, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The Chargers star is among the best in NFL history, with nine Pro Bowl appearances, four first-team All-Pro selections and an NFL Defensive Player of the Year award while playing for the Raiders in 2016.
    — Rick Stroud, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of play
Verb
  • The Vance memes might work against the vice president even more.
    — Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Long before Brady Corbet became the savior of big-swing cinema with The Brutalist and the Safdie brothers were red-carpet regulars, Pattinson worked with both in Childhood of a Leader (2015) and Good Time (2017), respectively.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of work
Verb
  • Masataka Yoshida has been serving as DH in spring games but is still working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery and has not started throwing.
    — Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • But unlike oil or even cabbage, crypto does not serve the core functioning of society.
    — Ben Walsh, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of serve
Verb
  • Shifting the Household Financial Paradigm Historically, popular culture often portrayed men as the family financiers while women managed daily household tasks.
    — Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Both portrayed struggles within families and among different generations.
    — Amitava Kumar, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of portray
Verb
  • Children, too, operate the four-wheeled vehicles, many of whom drive them to school.
    — Skyler Caruso, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Seven vital missile batteries The two SAMP/Ts and six Patriots the Ukrainian air force currently operates should, in theory, provide slightly more than the bare minimum of long-range air-defense coverage of the biggest Ukrainian cities.
    — David Axe, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of operate
Verb
  • The move, part of a broader effort to streamline federal operations and reduce costs, could have far-reaching consequences for the department's ability to function effectively, particularly in areas like financial aid processing and customer service.
    — Scott White, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • There’s also an 18-hole disc golf course designed to function as a habitat for pollinators, so visitors can play among butterflies and other wildlife.
    — Casey Barber, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of function

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Cite this Entry

“Perform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perform. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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