accomplish

verb

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

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 distanceW. H. Hudson †1922
4
archaic
a
: to equip thoroughly
b
accomplishable 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 Justice of sorts was accomplished, with Jones ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion in damages. Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024 Only a performance of real magic could accomplish that. Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 Brauer is now just the 18th woman to have accomplished the feat. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 He’s led teams to the NCAA Tournament, something UMKC’s men’s and women’s programs have yet to accomplish. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024 As long as the product appears accomplished enough to warrant a theatrical release, artistic relevance is secondary. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 Democrats didn’t accomplish a total sweep of the races on Tuesday. Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Ski touring, also known as backcountry skiing, is the only way to accomplish this. Melissa McGibbon, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2024 Soldiers uproot the poppy plants from a field or two and file a report: mission accomplished. Alma Guillermoprieto, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accomplish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Cite this Entry

“Accomplish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accomplish. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on accomplish

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