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 After Young found a streaking Darren Waller down the middle of the field for a 50-yard touchdown to cut Tampa Bay's lead to 17-6, the Bucs blocked the ensuing extra point and Zyon McCollum returned it 70 yards to the end zone. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026 Argyle jumped out to a 14-0 lead less than three minutes into the game, starting the scoring with a 27-yard Logan Rexroat touchdown and, after a fumble recovery on the ensuing kickoff, a 26-yard TD reception from Ake O’Neal. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026 Amid the ensuing tabloid storm, the actor walked outside his Cotswolds home with his wife Catherine FitzGerald. — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026 The Sinaloa cartel announced a ban on fentanyl production around the same period, and there were news reports of violence and ensuing casualties. — J. Travis Donahoe, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ensue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensue

Verb

Slide 1 of 15 The entries included license plate numbers, descriptions of vehicles and descriptions of law enforcement personnel Willie Herndon believed were following him, the complaint said.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026
That was soon followed by two short drives, both finished by junior running back Dylan Riley.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of follow

Verb

Foundry Park supersedes Lincoln Yards, developer Sterling Bay's controversial $6 billion redevelopment plan for the same area.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Auburn’s trustees are asserting that their authority supersedes not only faculty expertise, but professional norms, disciplinary standards, and even accrediting bodies.

— Beth Davis Sramek, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of supersede

Verb

Continue reading … DIRTY POLITICS — Antifa supporter charged with stealing GOP campaign signs in NY race to replace Stefanik.

— , FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
It's called an exchange because borrowing entities, like a regional heating oil retailer, would be required to replace the same volume at a premium ahead of next year.

— Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of replace

Verb

Particularly with Milwaukee and Tampa, as the Dodgers obviously are able to supplant their analytics group with big spending on free agents.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
The sophomores got the nod to start through the first four games before Congdon supplanted Alofaituli against Clemson.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of supplant

Verb

The professionalization worked, but at the expense of the site’s internal culture, Cooke argues, as generous eccentrics were displaced by neurotic lovers of rules.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
The Star reported in 2022 that a fire at the Dorson displaced 27 people.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of displace

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“Ensue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ensue. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ensue

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