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!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in accomplishment

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

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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

At night, Axira leads a secret operation, smuggling the ruler’s Heartfillers — until one mistake results in her execution date, per the book’s synopsis.

— Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Despite the jury recommending life without parole, the judge went against their wishes and imposed a state execution.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of execution

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

The use of remote lockers and location pickup climbed 14 percent year over year and surpassed buy online, pickup in store (BOPIS) and curbside pickup as the leading alternative fulfillment method.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
This article is part of our Life on the Other Side of the Game series, which looks at the lessons former athletes have learned in retirement about success, fulfillment and perspective.

— Elise Devlin, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of fulfillment

Noun

Cantu’s wife, who heard her husband, then exits the home and comes to the horrid realization that her husband is dead or dying on the front yard.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
That realization led to the Prebys Foundation’s Healing Through Arts and Nature initiative that connects the community with experiences in arts, culture, and nature.

— Grant Oliphant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of realization

Noun

The current implementation also takes about 69 seconds to run on an AMD Ryzen 7 7700X processor, leaving substantial scope for optimization.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
The implementation of these checks and balances can be seen as tactical and their uses have evolved over time in ways the Founders might not have envisioned.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 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

Samsung is expected to release its full earnings report around the end of this month, detailing net profit and performance across individual business divisions.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The equipment in the classroom is also outdated and no longer reaches performance capabilities necessary for modern digital art, web design and 2D and 3D imaging, officials said.

— Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of performance

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“Achievement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/achievement. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of achievement

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