ensue
To happen straight after something else, often because of it.
ensue in a sentence
- Someone shouted 'Snow day!' and total chaos ensued in the classroom.
- If Dad forgets to put the lid on the blender again, a sticky mess is sure to ensue.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to ensue?
- Aresult
- Bhappen
- Cprecede
- Dfollow
Show the answer
C: precede. The other three mean nearly the same as ensue.
Words that mean something similar
follow, result, happen
Words that mean the opposite
precede
More words about time & change
- evolve: To change and develop slowly over time.
- fatal: Causing death, or leading to complete failure.
- fleeting: Lasting only a very short time.
- frequent: Happening often.
- imminent: About to happen very soon.
- inaugural: Marking the start of something important, or being the very first of its kind.
- inaugurate: To open or start something officially with a ceremony.
- incessant: Never stopping.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test