ACHIEVEMENT Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'achievement' differ from other similar words?

The words exploit and feat are common synonyms of achievement . While all three words mean "a remarkable deed," achievement implies hard-won success in the face of difficulty or opposition. // her achievements as a chemist

Q: When can 'exploit' be used instead of 'achievement'?

In some situations, the words exploit and achievement are roughly equivalent. However, exploit suggests an adventurous or heroic act. // his exploits as a spy

Q: When is it sensible to use 'feat' instead of 'achievement'?

The words feat and achievement can be used in similar contexts, but feat implies strength or dexterity or daring. // an acrobatic feat

achievement

noun

ə-ˈchēv-mənt

Definition of achievement

as in success

a successful result brought about by hard work this improvement in your time for a 10K road race is quite an achievement!

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in execution

the doing of an action what you're asking is the achievement of a miracle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in accomplishment

the state of being actual or complete you should be proud of the achievement of your goals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun achievement differ from other similar words?

The words exploit and feat are common synonyms of achievement. While all three words mean "a remarkable deed," achievement implies hard-won success in the face of difficulty or opposition.

her achievements as a chemist

When can exploit be used instead of achievement?

In some situations, the words exploit and achievement are roughly equivalent. However, exploit suggests an adventurous or heroic act.

his exploits as a spy

When is it sensible to use feat instead of achievement?

The words feat and achievement can be used in similar contexts, but feat implies strength or dexterity or daring.

an acrobatic feat

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of achievement Longer life is the achievement of our era, not a problem to be solved. — Jon Sabes, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026 The achievement is expected to the power networked air defense systems. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026 Cullen received a lifetime achievement award at the Children's & Family Emmy Awards in 2023 and was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for voicing Optimus Prime in 2011. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Educational technology companies claim their apps and tools can make learning fun and boost student achievement. — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for achievement

Recent Examples of Synonyms for achievement

Noun

Crowds boomed along with that success, increasing the exposure and scrutiny.

— Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Somers Superintendent Sam Galloway, whose district has surpassed its pre-COVID test scores, attributed the success in part to the district limiting screen time for students.

— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of success

Noun

It’s often said that great athletes struggle to talk about their sport and their accomplishments.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
McGuiness’ in-ring appearances have been few and far between but getting back in shape to make it through to the end is an accomplishment in and of itself.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of accomplishment

Noun

This realization marks the current era of AI creativity, defined by the transition to the AI Agent.

— Coco Mao, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Perhaps Huck, who did not respond to a request for comment, came to this realization a little late and is looking to avoid getting stuck in a money-pit situation.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of realization

Noun

Whenever possible, leaders should test workflows, involve frontline employees in the evaluation process and consider the full lifecycle cost of implementation, integration, support, upgrades and maintenance.

— Paul Toomey, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
The council eventually agreed in May to delay implementation of the minimum wage increase by 18 months in exchange for the business coalition withdrawing the gross receipts measure.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of implementation

Noun

What happens when the response to the horror of 9/11 becomes an arena for perpetration of further crimes, rather than the healing of wounds already inflicted?

— Christopher Coffman, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026
Pipkins is charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in perpetration of a kidnapping.

— KC Baker, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025

Definition of perpetration

Noun

The focus on metrics also highlights the challenges of measuring the performance of large language models using standardized benchmark tests and concerns that the specs are prone to manipulation and gamesmanship.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
Researchers also need to determine whether damage can recover without compromising superconducting performance.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of performance

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“Achievement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/achievement. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of achievement

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