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accomplish

verb
ac·​com·​plish | \ ə-ˈkäm-plish How to pronounce accomplish (audio) , -ˈkəm- How to pronounce accomplish (audio) \
accomplished; accomplishing; accomplishes

Definition of accomplish

transitive verb

1 : to bring about (a result) by effort have much to accomplish today
2 : to bring to completion : fulfill accomplish a job
3 : to succeed in reaching (a stage in a progression) would starve before accomplishing half the distance— W. H. Hudson †1922

4 archaic

a : to equip thoroughly
b : perfect
Other Words from accomplish Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about accomplish

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Other Words from accomplish

accomplishable \ -​pli-​shə-​bəl How to pronounce accomplishable (audio) \ adjective
accomplisher noun

Choose the Right Synonym for accomplish

perform, execute, discharge, accomplish, achieve, effect, fulfill mean to carry out or into effect. perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill. performed gymnastics execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent. executed the hit-and-run discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks. discharged his duties accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out. accomplished everything they set out to do achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties. achieve greatness effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles. effected sweeping reforms fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities. fulfilled their ambitions

Examples of accomplish in a Sentence

There are several different ways to accomplish the same task. Exactly what he thought he would accomplish is unclear.

Recent Examples on the Web

 Many of the 49 proposals could be accomplished through administrative action by federal agencies while others need approval from Congress. — Renae Merle, Washington Post, "Trump’s housing plan could leave buyers fewer options, experts say," 6 Sep. 2019 One such type of attack, called Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) spoofing, is accomplished by generating false routing information that alters the tables that specify internet traffic routes. — Vint Cerf, Quartz, "“Father of the internet” Vint Cerf says we need to be less naive if we’re going to fix it," 6 Sep. 2019 All this was accomplished without any tax increase. — Bob Sandrick, cleveland.com, "Four candidates run for three at-large Broadview Heights City Council seats Nov. 5; early voting starts Oct. 8," 3 Sep. 2019 In some cases, as in Hebron, the expulsion was accomplished through mass murder. — Douglas J. Feith, National Review, "The Hebron Riots of 1929: Consequences and Lessons," 27 Aug. 2019 Arkansas' longest opening-game winning streak as an SEC member is nine, accomplished from 1997 through 2005. — Mark Inabinett | [email protected], al, "SEC Football by the Numbers: Season-opening streaks," 23 Aug. 2019 It was accomplished in a few ways, perhaps most importantly with the draft. — Rich Cohen, Harper's magazine, "The Wood Chipper," 19 Aug. 2019 This task is accomplished by the body's circulatory system, which is also called the cardiovascular system (and includes the heart, veins and arteries). — Svenja Lohner, Scientific American, "Build a Blood-Flow Model," 15 Aug. 2019 In-flight encryption is accomplished by TLS, which helps keep the content of a message from being captured or altered in-flight from one server to another. — Jim Salter, Ars Technica, "What all the stuff in email headers means—and how to sniff out spoofing," 7 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'accomplish.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of accomplish

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for accomplish

Middle English acomplicen, accomplisshen, borrowed from Anglo-French acomplis-, stem of acomplir, acumplir, from a-, prefix forming transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + complir, cumplir "to complete, fulfill," going back (with conjugation change) to Latin complēre "to fill up, complete" — more at complete entry 1

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More Definitions for accomplish

accomplish

verb
How to pronounce accomplish (audio) How to pronounce accomplish (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of accomplish

: to succeed in doing (something)

See the full definition for accomplish in the English Language Learners Dictionary

accomplish

verb
ac·​com·​plish | \ ə-ˈkäm-plish How to pronounce accomplish (audio) \
accomplished; accomplishing

Kids Definition of accomplish

: to succeed in doing or reaching The club accomplished its goal of raising money.

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