ensue

[en-soo]

verb (used without object)

ensued, ensuing 

1. to follow in order; come afterward, especially in immediate succession.

   As the days ensued, he recovered his strength.

2. to follow as a consequence; result.

   When those two friends meet, a battle of wits ensues.

   Synonyms: proceed, arise, issue

ensue

/ ɪnˈsjuː /

verb

1. (intr) to follow; come next or afterwards

2. (intr) to follow or occur as a consequence; result

3. obsolete,  (tr) to pursue

Word History and Origins

Origin of ensue¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; Middle English ensuen, from Anglo-French ensuer, cognate with Old French ensui(v)re; en- ¹, sue

Word History and Origins

Origin of ensue¹

C14: from Anglo-French ensuer, from Old French ensuivre, from _en- ¹ + suivre to follow, from Latin sequī

Synonym Study

See follow.

Example Sentences

During the ensuing altercation, Sanchez threw Tole toward a wall and also onto the ground, the affidavit said, before Tole, believing he was in danger, sprayed Sanchez with pepper spray and eventually stabbed him.

From Los Angeles Times

Over the ensuing five years, her output was prodigious.

From BBC

In the ensuing firefight, five clansmen were killed, local sources say.

From Los Angeles Times

Gray cooperated with Nixon to stymie the FBI’s investigation of the 1972 Watergate break-in and the ensuing cover-up.

From Salon

He pitched only one inning in his first two outings, two innings in the pair after that, and continued a slow, gradual buildup over the ensuing weeks.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arise 
• befall 
• come up 
• emanate 
• occur 
• turn out