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What is the difference between achieve and accomplish?

achieve | accomplish |

Accomplish is a synonym of achieve.



In transitive terms the difference between achieve and accomplish

is that achieve is to obtain, or gain (a desired result, objective etc.), as the result of exertion; to succeed in gaining; to win while accomplish is to bring to an issue of full success; to effect; to perform; to execute fully; to fulfill; as, to accomplish a design, an object, a promise.

As verbs the difference between achieve and accomplish

is that achieve is to succeed in something, now especially in academic performance while accomplish is to finish successfully.

achieve

English

Alternative forms

* (l) (obsolete )

Verb

(achiev)
  • To succeed in something, now especially in academic performance.
  • To carry out successfully; to accomplish.
  • * I. Taylor
  • Supposing faculties and powers to be the same, far more may be achieved in any line by the aid of a capital, invigorating motive than without it.
  • (obsolete) To conclude, finish, especially successfully.
  • * 1590 , (Edmund Spenser), (The Faerie Queene) , III.1:
  • Full many Countreyes they did overronne, / From the uprising to the setting Sunne, / And many hard adventures did atchieve [...].
  • To obtain, or gain (a desired result, objective etc.), as the result of exertion; to succeed in gaining; to win.
  • *
  • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=1 , passage=I was about to say that I had known the Celebrity from the time he wore kilts. But I see I will have to amend that, because he was not a celebrity then, nor, indeed, did he achieve fame until some time after I left New York for the West.}}
  • * {{quote-news, year=2013, date=January 22, author=Phil McNulty, work=BBC
  • , title= Aston Villa 2-1 Bradford (3-4) , passage=Bradford may have lost on the night but they stubbornly protected a 3-1 first-leg advantage to emulate a feat last achieved by Rochdale in 1962.}}
  • * (William Shakespeare), (Twelfth Night), II-v
  • Some are born great, some achieve greatness.
  • *
  • Thou hast achieved our liberty.
  • (obsolete) To conclude, to turn out.
  • * Prior
  • Show all the spoils by valiant kings achieved .
  • * (William Shakespeare), (Othello), II-i
  • He hath achieved a maid / That paragons description.

    Synonyms

    * accomplish, effect, fulfil, fulfill, complete, execute, perform, realize, obtain. See accomplish

    Derived terms

    * achievement * achiever

    accomplish

    English

    (Webster 1913)

    Verb

  • To finish successfully.
  • To complete, as time or distance.
  • * That He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. - Daniel 9:2
  • * He had accomplished half a league or more. -
  • To bring to an issue of full success; to effect; to perform; to execute fully; to fulfill; as, to accomplish a design, an object, a promise.
  • * This that is written must yet be accomplished in me - Luke 22:37
  • (archaic) To equip or furnish thoroughly; hence, to complete in acquirements; to render accomplished; to polish.
  • * The armorers accomplishing the knights - Shakespeare, Henry V, IV-chorus
  • * It [the moon] is fully accomplished for all those ends to which Providence did appoint it. -
  • * These qualities . . . go to accomplish a perfect woman. -
  • (obsolete) To gain; to obtain
  • :(Shakespeare)
  • Synonyms

    * do, perform, fulfill, realize, effect, effectuate, complete, consummate, execute, achieve, perfect, equip, furnish, carry out