ensue
Americanverb (used without object)
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ensues,
present (3rd person singular)
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ensued,
past participle, past
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ensuing
present participle
verb
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(intr) to follow; come next or afterwards
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(intr) to follow or occur as a consequence; result
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obsolete (tr) to pursue
Synonym Usage
See follow.
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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ensuesimple
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ensuessimple
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have ensuedperfect
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has ensuedperfect
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am ensuingprogressive
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are ensuingprogressive
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is ensuingprogressive
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have been ensuingperfect progressive
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has been ensuingperfect progressive
Past
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ensuedsimple
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had ensuedperfect
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was ensuingprogressive
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were ensuingprogressive
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had been ensuingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of ensue
First recorded in 1450–1500; Middle English ensuen, from Anglo-French ensuer, cognate with Old French ensui(v)re; see en- 1, sue
Explanation
If something happens after something else, it will ensue, meaning it will follow after or be the result. When a sneeze comes out, and he hears the "Achoo!," a "Bless you" or "Gesundheit" soon will ensue. One way to remember the verb ensue is to rhyme it with "due." A happening that is due to happen will ensue, "Throwing a glass of ice water in his face guaranteed that a chase would ensue." Often what follows is a response to words or actions, so what will ensue is what will happen as a consequence. A struggle might ensue if a thief grabs a purse, and a discussion might ensue if two sides disagree.
Vocabulary lists containing ensue
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Grade 9, List 3
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
If it does make a bomb, a regional arms race could ensue.
From Slate ● Jul. 23, 2026
Only the truly inattentive will be shocked that complications ensue.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
It’s particularly useful as a contrarian tool when sharp falls can suggest traders are too cautious, and a rally may ensue.
From MarketWatch ● May 15, 2026
This has led to turmoil in energy markets, with fears that a world recession may ensue if it is not reopened soon.
From BBC ● Apr. 19, 2026
Perhaps a beanstalk will grow to the clouds and an adventure with giants will ensue.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
A comedy of errors ensues as the pair encounter numerous other famous Amandas including Amanda Holden, Amanda Lamb and Amanda Barrie.
From BBC ● Mar. 19, 2026
Five seems to be the current agreed-upon upper limit before chaos ensues — a sweet spot similar to some human teams.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026
A little banter ensues, making way for the real surprise guests: fellow Olympic hockey champions Megan Keller and team captain Hilary Knight.
From Salon ● Mar. 6, 2026
That eases overall stress and ensues a fair outcome.
From Barron's ● Nov. 17, 2025
“When you ask her a question, there ensues, on her part, a moment of stillness so profound you can almost hear it,” another suffragist said.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
They sold the rights to their creation to DC Comics and much controversy ensued.
From Salon ● Jul. 31, 2026
A protest at Collins’ Biddeford office ensued not long afterward.
From Slate ● Jul. 18, 2026
The BBC's Helen Livingstone recaps Neil's time spent ashore in southern Tasmania, explaining the chaos and adoration that ensued.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
Our food columnist took a bite out of the blue-and-orange culinary chaos that’s ensued as Knicks Fever sweeps New York City.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026
A furious argument ensued touching on the theme of the Rights of Man and the Noble Savage, but there was no convincing her, and I was sent to bed with no TV that night.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
In 2017 researchers coined the term orthosomnia to describe the tendency to chase perfect scores with sleep tracking and the ensuing sleep problems, distress, and anxiety from not receiving a perfect score.
From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026
The ensuing war saw the economically vital Strait of Hormuz paralysed and commercial shipping in the Gulf repeatedly targeted in Iranian attacks.
From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026
Now, was Warsh deliberating targeting the long end of the curve with the statement and ensuing press conference?
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026
Thousands more joined them, swept up in raids amid the ensuing war.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
During the ensuing week, additional flights were booked and then canceled by Fischer as headlines began to question whether he’d appear at all.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
