achieve

verb

ə-ˈchēv How to pronounce achieve (audio)
achieved; achieving; achieves
Synonyms of achievenext

transitive verb

: to succeed at reaching or accomplishing (a goal, result, etc.) especially through effort
achieved fame
achieved a certain level of success
hoping to achieve their objective
talks aimed at achieving peace
You've worked hard, made sacrifices and have finally achieved your dream.—Lewis Howes
When a show achieves cult status …, it inevitably loses some of its original charm.—Debra Craine
He often achieved an effect with jokes where mere oratory would not work so well …—Paul Johnson
Try to achieve a balance between relaxation and responsibility.—Russell Grant
A quadruple jump entails four rotations, as the name implies. But exactly how skaters achieve the feat can vary.—Candice Choi
… the good work achieved during his long tenure has often been overlooked …—James Riach

intransitive verb

: to reach or bring about a desired end or goal : to become successful
We shouldn't be afraid to push our kids to achieve.—John Keilman
achievable
ə-ˈchē-və-bəl How to pronounce achieve (audio)
adjective

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Common Misspellings

acheive, achive

Synonyms

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

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 achieve in a Sentence

a diet that achieves dramatic results With much practice, she has achieved a high level of skill. They achieved high scores on their math tests. We give students the skills they need in order to achieve in college.
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.
The company has not yet achieved sufficient funding to develop or acquire a new business line. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024 The announcement reinforces the closeness Musk has managed to achieve with Trump, even after the election. —David Ingram, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024 Put your energy into achieving your goals and fend off interference by keeping a low profile and making every move count. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024 Working together to restrain the North Korean regime is the best way to achieve it. —Sungmin Cho, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for achieve 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English acheven, borrowed from Anglo-French achever "to complete, carry out, succeed," from a-, prefix forming telic and transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + -chever, verbal derivative from chef, chief "end, head" — more at chief entry 3

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of achieve was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing achieve

Dictionary Entries Near achieve

à cheval

achieve

achieved

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Achieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/achieve. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

achieve

verb
ə-ˈchēv How to pronounce achieve (audio)
achieved; achieving
1
: accomplish
achieved our purpose
2
: to get by effort
achieve greatness
achievable
-ˈchē-və-bəl How to pronounce achieve (audio)
adjective
achiever noun
Etymology

Middle English acheven "achieve," from early French achever "to finish," from a- "to" and cheef "end, head," from Latin caput "head" — related to capital, chief

More from Merriam-Webster on achieve

Nglish: Translation of achieve for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of achieve for Arabic Speakers

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