ENSUE Synonyms: 11 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'ensue' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of ensue are follow , succeed , and supervene . While all these words mean "to come after something or someone," ensue commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally expected development. // after the talk a general discussion ensued

Q: When can 'follow' be used instead of 'ensue'?

In some situations, the words follow and ensue are roughly equivalent. However, follow may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical sequence. // speeches followed the dinner

Q: When might 'succeed' be a better fit than 'ensue'?

The meanings of succeed and ensue largely overlap; however, succeed implies a coming after immediately in a sequence determined by natural order, inheritance, election, or laws of rank. // she succeeded her father as head of the business

Q: When would 'supervene' be a good substitute for 'ensue'?

Although the words supervene and ensue have much in common, supervene suggests the following or beginning of something unforeseen or unpredictable. // unable to continue because of supervening circumstances

ensue

verb

Definition of ensue

as in to follow

to come at a later time; to happen as a result When the news broke, a long period of chaos ensued.

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How is the word ensue different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of ensue are follow, succeed, and supervene. While all these words mean "to come after something or someone," ensue commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally expected development.

after the talk a general discussion ensued

When can follow be used instead of ensue?

In some situations, the words follow and ensue are roughly equivalent. However, follow may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical sequence.

speeches followed the dinner

When might succeed be a better fit than ensue?

The meanings of succeed and ensue largely overlap; however, succeed implies a coming after immediately in a sequence determined by natural order, inheritance, election, or laws of rank.

she succeeded her father as head of the business

When would supervene be a good substitute for ensue?

Although the words supervene and ensue have much in common, supervene suggests the following or beginning of something unforeseen or unpredictable.

unable to continue because of supervening circumstances

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 ensue The United Nations reported that over the ensuing decade, more than 300,000 civilians were killed. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 Oswego tied the game on its ensuing drive and pulled ahead in the second quarter for a 21-13 lead. — Jerry Birchfield, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026 The ensuing encounter prompted Moore's arrest and criminal charges. — Dave Boucher, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Police said Ramos died at the hospital and a homicide investigation ensued. — Brandon Downs, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ensue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensue

Verb

Carillo delivered a speech so rousing, witty and tender all at once that following her became something of an impossibility.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Braden Montgomery singled and Colson Montgomery followed with the three-run home run, giving the Sox a 4-0 lead.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of follow

Verb

Now, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed making this process permanent and potentially worse by having a political appointee review all grants before they are awarded, superseding the peer review process.

— Abdullah Shihipar, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026
Days later, Beirich was charged in the second superseding indictment.

— Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of supersede

Verb

Other goals, like a lactation room, upgrading the fire alarm system to a voice evacuation system for the whole building and replacing the elevator came later.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 30 Aug. 2026
Summary Despite the digital shift, leading retailers are leveraging AI to enhance human customer connections, not replace them.

— John Hall, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of replace

Verb

Starting in the 1930s, as talking pictures and then radio and TV supplanted theater as the prime form of mass entertainment, some were converted to cinemas.

— Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
But Joe never misses an opportunity to supplant her husband’s rational concerns with her imperial view of a society infected by an unseen, venomous other.

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of supplant

Verb

Akiyama wrote numerous books concerning both his spaceflight and his experiences as a farmer and being displaced from the Fukushima Prefecture.

— Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026
Since last year’s fires in Los Angeles, thousands of people have remained displaced or stuck in temporary housing, even though many of them own homes that survived the blazes.

— Evan Bush, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of displace

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

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Synonyms of ensue

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