ensue

[ en-soo ]

verb (used without object)

, en·sued, en·su·ing.

1. to follow in order; come afterward, especially in immediate succession:

   As the days ensued, he recovered his strength.

2. to follow as a consequence; result:

   When those two friends meet, a battle of wits ensues.

   Synonyms: proceed, arise, issue

ensue

/ ɪnˈsjuː /

verb

1. intr to follow; come next or afterwards
2. intr to follow or occur as a consequence; result
3. obsolete.
   tr to pursue

Word History and Origins

Origin of ensue¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; Middle English ensuen, from Anglo-French ensuer, cognate with Old French ensui(v)re; en- ¹, sue

Word History and Origins

Origin of ensue¹

C14: from Anglo-French ensuer, from Old French ensuivre, from en- ¹+ suivre to follow, from Latin sequī

Synonym Study

See follow.

Example Sentences

But the opposition is still a long way from defeating the junta, and China fears that if it were to collapse, even worse chaos might ensue as different armed groups jostled for power.

From BBC

If Kamala Harris defeats the former president, a struggle for the GOP would ensue.

From Los Angeles Times

More consequential fights would ensue over the party’s candidates and positions.

From Los Angeles Times

When Alexander Hamilton contemplated recruiting African-American soldiers to fight in the Revolutionary War, he recognized the resistance that would ensue from many white people.

From Salon

“Something these guys do is they make a lot of claims about if Donald Trump becomes president, all of these terrible consequences are going to ensue,” he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• arise
• befall
• come up
• emanate
• occur
• turn out