establish

[ ih-stab-lish ]

/ ɪˈstæb lɪʃ /

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See synonyms for: establish / established / establishes / establishing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to found, institute, build, or bring into being on a firm or stable basis: to establish a university; to establish a medical practice.

to install or settle in a position, place, business, etc.: to establish one's child in business.

to show to be valid or true; prove: to establish the facts of the matter.

to cause to be accepted or recognized: to establish a custom; She established herself as a leading surgeon.

to bring about permanently: to establish order.

to enact, appoint, or ordain for permanence, as a law; fix unalterably.

to make (a church) a national or state institution.

Cards. to obtain control of (a suit) so that one can win all the subsequent tricks in it.

OTHER WORDS FOR establish

1 form, organize.

3 verify, substantiate.

6 decree.

See synonyms for establish on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR establish

1 abolish.

3 disprove.

See antonyms for establish on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of establish

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English establissen, establishen, from Middle French establiss-, extended stem of establir, from Latin stabilīre, derivative of stabilis stable²

synonym study for establish

1. See fix.

OTHER WORDS FROM establish

es·tab·lish·a·ble, adjectivees·tab·lish·er, nounre·es·tab·lish, verb (used with object)su·per·es·tab·lish, verb (used with object)

un·es·tab·lish·a·ble, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use establish in a sentence

He recently reestablished contact with Allen and is currently enjoying a renewed relationship with him and Soon-Yi.
The Woody Allen Allegations: Not So Fast|Robert B. Weide|January 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Putin went after only those he perceived as a threat to his power and the state-security apparatus he quickly reestablished.
Boris Berezovsky’s Dubious Legacy Lives On in the Kremlin|Garry Kasparov|April 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But then came 9/11 and the default pattern reestablished itself with a vengeance.
Michael Tomasky: With Joe Biden’s Speech, The Democrats Finally Man Up|Michael Tomasky|April 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In 1913, Matisse returned from Morocco and reestablished himself in Pairs.
How Matisse Became Matisse|Rachel Wolff|April 1, 2010|DAILY BEAST

Since his failed 1980 race, Kennedy had reestablished himself as a power in the Senate.
Teddy's Moment of Truth|Adam Clymer|August 28, 2009|DAILY BEAST
With the confessor, the tumult ceased, and silence was reestablished; everyone conjectured and wondered—the king was confessing.
Chicot the Jester|Alexandre Dumas, Pere
The Christian assures me that human nature is repaired, that the death of his God has reestablished it in its integrity.
Superstition In All Ages (1732)|Jean Meslier
The emergency had reestablished at least for the time the normal discipline; the men still relied on the Captain in trouble.
Greylorn|John Keith Laumer
The reestablished unity of doctrine called forth loud rejoicing and thanksgiving to God everywhere in Germany.
Life of Luther|Gustav Just
The law of great numbers has reestablished simplicity in the average.
The Foundations of Science: Science and Hypothesis, The Value of Science, Science and Method|Henri Poincar

British Dictionary definitions for establish

establish

/ (ɪˈstæblɪʃ) /

verb (usually tr)

to make secure or permanent in a certain place, condition, job, etcto establish one's usefulness; to establish a house

to create or set up (an organization, etc) on or as if on a permanent basisto establish a company

to prove correct or free from doubt; validateto establish a fact

to cause (a principle, theory, etc) to be widely or permanently acceptedto establish a precedent

to give (a Church) the status of a national institution

(of a person) to become recognized and acceptedhe established himself as a reliable GP

(in works of imagination) to cause (a character, place, etc) to be credible and recognizedthe first scene established the period

cards to make winners of (the remaining cards of a suit) by forcing out opponents' top cards

(also intr) botany

to cause (a plant) to grow or (of a plant) to grow in a new placethe birch scrub has established over the past 25 years
to become or cause to become a sapling or adult plant from a seedling

Derived forms of establish

establisher, noun

Word Origin for establish

C14: from Old French establir, from Latin stabilīre to make firm, from stabilis stable ²

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

establish

OTHER WORDS FOR establish

OPPOSITES FOR establish

Origin of establish

synonym study for establish

OTHER WORDS FROM establish

Words related to establish

How to use establish in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for establish

Derived forms of establish

Word Origin for establish