achieve Hear it!

achieve Definition

achieve (ə c̸hēv′)

transitive verb achieved′, achiev′·ing

  1. to do; succeed in doing; accomplish
  2. to get or reach by exertion; attain; gain to achieve one's goals

Etymology: ME acheven < OFr achever, to finish < a-, to + chief, head: see chief

intransitive verb

to bring about a desired result; succeed

achieve Related Forms
achiev′·able adjective achiev′·er noun
achieve Synonyms

achieve

v.

  1. To succeed in carrying out

    complete, end, terminate, conclude, finish, finish up, finish off, do, perform, execute, fulfill, consummate, perfect, cap, carry off, carry out, carry through, turn out, bring about, bring off, make happen, settle, effect, bring to an end, bring to a conclusion, close, stop, encompass, produce, realize, effectuate, actualize, discharge, make work out, wind up, work out, adjust, resolve, solve, accomplish, dispose of, dispatch, make an end of, enact, manage, contrive, negotiate, sign, seal, bring to pass, do the job, have effect, see to, see it through, get done, close up, put the lid on, carry to completion, follow through, take measures, deliver, knock off*, fill the bill*, round out*, come through*, polish off*, score*, clean up*, mop up*, put across*, pull off*, swing*, hack it*, make short work of*, do up brown*, put through*, go whole hog*, go all the way*, go the limit*, sew up*, button up*, do oneself proud*, call it a day*, put the finishing touch on*, do the trick*, turn the trick*, wrap up*; see also perform 1.

    Antonyms abandon*, fail*, give up. *

  2. To reach a goal

    accomplish, attain, reach, gain, succeed (in), realize, obtain, gain one's end, make it*; see also sense 1, succeed 1.

achieve suggests exertion and the use of skill in reaching or getting something we've achieved a great victory; attain adds an implication of being goaded on by great ambition to gain an end regarded as beyond the reach of most people she has attained great fame in her profession; accomplish implies success in completing a set task to accomplish an end; gain suggests the exertion of considerable effort to reach some goal they gained the top of the hill See also syn. study at perform.

achieve Usage Examples

Object

  • goal: The firm's culture is very much focused on working together to achieve goals.
  • objective: The key elements of the project to help achieve these objectives comprise of: ?
  • success: The first Building Control team to achieve four successes in Charter Mark, the latter being the new Charter Mark Standard.
  • aim: To achieve these aims, a high response is needed.
  • result: Roots has achieved amazing results in its first year.
  • target: The purpose of the PSA is to achieve enhanced performance targets than would otherwise be the case.

Preposition: through

  • negotiation: It is the Trade Union's view that this is the best deal that can be achieved through negotiations.
  • collaboration: And sustainability can be achieved through online collaboration and support methods.
  • co-operation: Rationalization is a precursor of any improvement in service delivery, but could that not be achieved through co-operation and standardization between neighboring countries?
  • partnership: Londonâs biotechnology sector will directly benefit from improved professional skills achieved through pan-London partnerships, support programs and expert management.

Adjective complement

  • more: By working together the group aim to achieve more than they could otherwise do through working independently of each other.

Modifying Another Word

  • successfully: There are seafarers studying with the OU at all levels and, to prove the point, many successfully achieve graduate status every year.
  • consistently: The University consistently achieves graduate employment rates higher than the national average.
  • easily: Change can often be achieved more easily through shared experience.
  • far: During today we will ask you to evaluate what the project has achieved so far.

Used with why or when

  • when: Amazing what can be achieved when you are having a laugh and being playful.
  • what: Do not mourn our passing But remember and be glad And think of what you can achieve Not what you may have had.
  • that: However, it is their hard work, dedication and passion to achieve that also fuels their success.

Present participle complement

  • use: This can be simply achieved using the label tag.

Preposition: in

  • lifetime: These positions are very difficult to achieve in a single lifetime.
achieve Quotes

Those who believe that they are exclusively in the right are generally those who achieve something.

—Huxley, Aldous Leonard

We must become children again if we wish to achieve the best.

—Runge, Philipp Otto