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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 On the ensuing at-bat, Lexi Cortez drove in the go-ahead run with a single. Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 24 May 2025 Within days of Jason Corbett's death, a very public and ugly international custody battle ensued between Molly Corbett and Jason's sister, Tracey Corbett-Lynch. Maureen Maher, CBS News, 23 May 2025 After the Cook County state’s attorney’s office dropped charges against Smollett, a judge assigned a special prosecutor to investigate amid the ensuing uproar. Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025 The ensuing 3:25 of play featured a 16-2 Knicks run, which put the hosts ahead by 16 with about seven minutes to go. Tony East, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ensue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensue
Verb
  • The attacks into Sumy follow a Kremlin directive on May 21 that the military create buffer zones inside northern Ukraine – in Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
  • What is this nagging discomfort that's seeming to follow me around?
    Dr. Joel M. Rothaizer, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • However, this does mean that this technology is becoming dated and has been superseded by the following two generations.
    Matt Morris, Space.com, 25 May 2025
  • This, though, was superseded by the 1924 Indian Citizenship Act, which granted birthright citizenship to all non-citizen Native Americans born within the U.S. And, in 1898, the high court ruled that children born in the U.S. to non-citizen immigrants were indeed birthright citizens, Miller said.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • The only way to ensure Hamas cannot reign over Gaza and threaten Israel is by replacing it with another governing entity legitimate to the international community, Arab neighbors like Egypt, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, and Palestinians themselves.
    Ehud Barak, Time, 2 June 2025
  • Bills introduced last week would have replaced the RTA with a new entity called the Northern Illinois Transit Authority that would be given broad planning authority.
    Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • To say the tables have been turned since the Heat’s Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh defeated the Thunder in the 2012 NBA Finals would be an understatement, with the Thunder having supplanted the Heat as a touchstone franchise.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 31 May 2025
  • Bryant and Tovar have missed considerable time due to injury, Jordan Beck has supplanted Doyle in the leadoff spot, and McMahon — despite below-average offensive numbers — has become the go-to cleanup hitter.
    Chad Jennings, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • Rising number of international students The rising number of foreign students studying in the U.S. has long led to concerns about U.S. students being displaced by international peers.
    Corey Mitchell, The Conversation, 23 May 2025
  • The landmark in his wellness journey was marked with a social media upload that featured the rapper displacing his sobriety medallion.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ensue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ensue. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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