fulfill

[ fool-fil ]

verb (used with object)

, ful·filled, ful·fil·ling.

1. to carry out, or bring to realization, as a prophecy or promise.

   Synonyms: realize, complete, achieve, accomplish

2. to perform or do, as duty; obey or follow, as commands.

   Synonyms: observe, discharge, execute

3. to satisfy (requirements, obligations, etc.):

   a book that fulfills a long-felt need.

   Synonyms: fill, answer, meet

4. to bring to an end; finish or complete, as a period of time:

   He felt that life was over when one had fulfilled his threescore years and ten.

   Synonyms: conclude, terminate, end

5. to develop the full potential of (usually used reflexively):

   She realized that she could never fulfill herself in such work.

Other Words From

• ful·fill·er noun
• o·ver·ful·fill verb (used with object)
• pre·ful·fill verb (used with object)
• su·per·ful·fill verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of fulfill¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English fulfillen, Old English fulfyllan. See full ¹, fill

Example Sentences

A sobering independent review two months later determined there was “near zero probability” of Mars Sample Return making its proposed 2028 launch date, and “no credible” way to fulfill the mission within its current budget.

From Los Angeles Times

As a responsible person, he will be obliged to fulfill them.

From Slate

The job of the director, in this view, is to fulfill the playwright’s vision.

From Los Angeles Times

When he lost, these same Christians were left facing two possibilities: Either they had not worked or prayed hard enough to fulfill God’s will, or Trump had fulfilled the prophecies only in a technical sense, by winning the election, but was being robbed of the office.

From Slate

The VA appealed the order to the 9th Circuit in October and requested a stay, writing that “the district court’s sprawling injunction upends VA’s carefully considered judgment about how to pursue” its goal to “fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.”

From Los Angeles Times