fulfill

American  

[fool-fil] / fʊlˈfɪl /

especially British, fulfil

verb (used with object)

fulfilled, fulfilling

1. to carry out, or bring to realization, as a prophecy or promise.

   Synonyms:

   realize, complete, achieve, accomplish

2. to perform or do, as duty; obey or follow, as commands.

   Synonyms:

   observe, discharge, execute

3. to satisfy (requirements, obligations, etc.).

   a book that fulfills a long-felt need.

   Synonyms:

   fill, answer, meet

4. to bring to an end; finish or complete, as a period of time.

   He felt that life was over when one had fulfilled his threescore years and ten.

   Synonyms:

   conclude, terminate, end

5. to develop the full potential of (usually used reflexively).

   She realized that she could never fulfill herself in such work.

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Other Word Forms

• fulfiller noun
• overfulfill verb (used with object)
• prefulfill verb (used with object)
• superfulfill verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of fulfill

First recorded before 1000; Middle English fulfillen, Old English fulfyllan. See full ¹, fill

Example Sentences

“It felt so fulfilling to wake up and think, ‘I’m going to outwork everybody around me and be more creative than them.’”

From Los Angeles Times

“It should be overwhelmingly clear that shareholders expect this Board to fulfill its fiduciary duty and act with urgency, clarity and humility. Unfortunately, we have seen none of this in our engagement,” Wilson wrote.

From Barron's

And, speaking ahead of fulfilling that ambition, Donnelly, who is now based in Norfolk, England, said he's "living the dream".

From BBC

The company is also comfortable with the supply it has to fulfill its revenue guidance.

From MarketWatch

Resendez noted that his group’s research also shows a dichotomy in the emotional experience of caregiving — it’s hard, but at the same time fulfilling.

From MarketWatch