achieve

[uh-cheev]

verb (used with object)

achieved, achieving 

1. to bring to a successful end; carry through; accomplish.

   The police crackdown on speeders achieved its purpose.

   Synonyms: reach, realize, execute, effect, complete, consummate

2. to get or attain by effort; gain; obtain.

   to achieve victory.

   Synonyms: win, realize

verb (used without object)

achieved, achieving 

1. to bring about an intended result; accomplish some purpose or effect.

achieve

/ əˈtʃiːv /

verb

1. to bring to a successful conclusion; accomplish; attain

2. to gain as by hard work or effort

   to achieve success

Other Word Forms

• achievable adjective
• achiever noun
• outachieve verb (used with object)
• preachieved adjective
• superachiever noun
• unachievable adjective
• unachieved adjective
• well-achieved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of achieve¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English acheven, from Old French achever “to finish,” from phrase a chef “to (the) head,” i.e., “to conclusion”; chief

Word History and Origins

Origin of achieve¹

C14: from Old French achever to bring to an end, from the phrase a chef to a head, to a conclusion

Synonym Study

See do ¹.

Example Sentences

Bayer stock jumped on Monday after the German healthcare company said a late-stage stroke drug trial achieved its goals.

Read more on MarketWatch

Indeed, it is quintessential structured finance—the point of which is to help companies try to achieve seemingly irreconcilable financial-reporting goals.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

If the goal is achieved, Rheinmetall will have added more employees over the next two and a half years than it did over the past decade.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They were on track for a big lead after reaching 65-1 in their second innings, but again threw away five wickets in quick succession to leave Australia chasing 205, which they achieved with ease.

Read more on Barron's

It was the first time the Bruins had held an opponent scoreless for an entire quarter since they achieved the same feat on Dec. 5, 2021 against San José State.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accomplish 
• attain 
• bring about 
• carry out 
• complete 
• conclude 
• do 
• earn 
• enact 
• end 
• gain 
• manage 
• obtain 
• produce 
• reach 
• realize 
• resolve 
• settle 
• sign 
• solve