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View synonyms for accomplish

accomplish

[ uh-kom-plish ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to bring to its goal or conclusion; carry out; perform; finish:

    to accomplish one's mission.

    Synonyms: effect, execute, fulfill, complete

  2. to complete (a distance or period of time):

    to have accomplished the age of 70;

    We accomplished the journey in little more than an hour.

  3. Archaic. to provide polish to; perfect.


accomplish

/ əˈkɒmplɪʃ; əˈkʌm- /

verb

  1. to manage to do; achieve
  2. to conclude successfully; complete
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • acˈcomplisher, noun
  • acˈcomplishable, adjective
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Other Words From

  • ac·complish·a·ble adjective
  • ac·complish·er noun
  • preac·complish verb (used with object)
  • unac·complish·a·ble adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of accomplish1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French accompliss-, stem of acomplir, equivalent to a- ac- + complir, ultimately from Latin complēre “to fill”; complete, -ish 2
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Word History and Origins

Origin of accomplish1

C14: from Old French acomplir to complete, ultimately from Latin complēre to fill up. See complete
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Synonym Study

See do 1.
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Example Sentences

But if I did, I rationalized those thoughts away with the understanding that such violence would accomplish nothing.

From Salon

And that’s when she started studying and deciding that she was going to change her life, too, and accomplish her dreams as well, and that that was possible.

Vought has said that he plans to work closely with the commission to use executive action to accomplish the slashing and burning of government programs they're promising.

From Salon

Almost as significant as the study's outcome is how it was accomplished.

In August, he told The Times that he chose to run against Duarte again because he thought the incumbent and Republicans had accomplished little in Congress to help everyday Americans.

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More About Accomplish

What does accomplish mean?

Accomplish means to carry out or finish an action—to complete what you set out to do. To accomplish a goal is to complete it.

Accomplish is often (though not always) used in the context of completing a set goal—one that is planned or desired before it is accomplished. Accomplish is generally used in a positive way in the context of completing beneficial goals (though a person can accomplish bad things—many supervillains hope to accomplish a global takeover).

The completion of a goal or anything accomplished can be called an accomplishment, which means about the same thing as achievement.

Someone who has accomplished many impressive things in life or in their career can be described with the adjective accomplished. It’s especially used to indicate that a person is very experienced, skilled, and perhaps awarded in their field, as in an accomplished singer.

Much less commonly, accomplish can mean to reach a destination or certain age, as in I never thought I would accomplish the age of 100.

Example: I’m hoping to accomplish everything on my to-do list today.

Where does accomplish come from?

The first records of the word accomplish come from the 1300s. It comes from the Old French acomplir, meaning “to complete,” ultimately from the Latin complēre, which means to “to fill up” and is also the basis of the word complete.

Accomplish and achieve can be used as synonyms, but they sometimes imply slightly different things. Achieve and achievement often imply the completion of something important or difficult—a lofty goal or a great feat. You can accomplish a lofty goal or a great feat, but the word accomplish itself doesn’t typically imply this. Rather, it usually just means to complete something (regardless of how impressive it is).

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to accomplish?

What are some synonyms for accomplish?

What are some words that share a root or word element with accomplish

 

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing accomplish?

 

 

How is accomplish used in real life?

Accomplish is very commonly used. It’s usually used in a positive way in the context of completing goals.

Try using accomplish!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of accomplish?

A. achieve

B. fail

C. realize

D. attain

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