Phrase guide

bring about

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To cause to take place.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • The collapse of the gold standard brought about much of the economic turmoil of that era.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: effect, lead to, induce, incite, provoke, result in, encompass, abet, actuate, goose, fuel, light a fire under, send, sting, bring about, cheer, draw, drive, encourage, egg on, engender, evoke, excite, foment, goad, grill, ignite, impel, inflame, instigate, invoke, lash, motive, motivate, move, obligate, oblige, push, promote, prompt, rouse, set off, spark off, spur, spur on, stimulate, stir, stir up, stoke, tempt, urge, whet, whip up

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To accomplish, to achieve.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • I hope to bring about a successful conclusion.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: carry out, complete, consummate, effectuate, fulfill, pull off, realize

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

cause to happen, occur or exist

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • This procedure produces a curious effect
  • The new law gave rise to many complaints
  • These chemicals produce a noxious vapor
  • the new President must bring about a change in the health care system

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: produce, give rise

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: make, create

Narrower terms: induce, induct, leave, result, lead

4

verb

Meaning 4

cause to move into the opposite direction

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • they brought about the boat when they saw a storm approaching

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: turn

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

63 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Azerbaijani: əmələ gətirmək — to cause to take place
  • Catalan: provocar — to cause to take place
  • Danish: tilvejebringe — to cause to take place
  • Dutch: teweegbrengen — to cause to take place
  • Dutch: veroorzaken — to cause to take place
  • Esperanto: efektivigi — to cause to take place
  • Finnish: aiheuttaa — to cause to take place
  • Finnish: saada aikaan — to cause to take place
  • French: provoquer — to cause to take place
  • French: causer — to cause to take place
  • French: occasionner — to cause to take place
  • German: bewirken — to cause to take place
  • German: bedingen — to cause to take place
  • Hungarian: okoz — to cause to take place
  • Hungarian: előidéz — to cause to take place
  • Hungarian: hoz — to cause to take place
  • Hungarian: létrehoz — to cause to take place
  • Latin: efficiō — to cause to take place
  • Norwegian Bokmål: forårsake — to cause to take place
  • Norwegian Bokmål: foranledige — to cause to take place
  • Norwegian Bokmål: avstedkomme — to cause to take place
  • Norwegian Bokmål: bevirke — to cause to take place
  • Norwegian Bokmål: medføre — to cause to take place
  • Polish: powodować — to cause to take place
  • Polish: spowodować — to cause to take place
  • Polish: wywoływać — to cause to take place
  • Polish: wywołać — to cause to take place
  • Portuguese: causar — to cause to take place
  • Portuguese: provocar — to cause to take place
  • Portuguese: ocasionar — to cause to take place
  • Romanian: provoca — to cause to take place
  • Romanian: cauza — to cause to take place
  • Russian: вызыва́ть (vyzyvátʹ) — to cause to take place
  • Russian: влечь (vlečʹ) — to cause to take place
  • Russian: повле́чь (povléčʹ) — to cause to take place
  • Spanish: traer consigo — to cause to take place
  • Spanish: provocar — to cause to take place
  • Spanish: ocasionar — to cause to take place
  • Swedish: åsamka — to cause to take place
  • Turkish: yerine getirmek — to cause to take place
  • Catalan: aconseguir — to accomplish
  • Danish: tilvejebringe — to accomplish
  • Dutch: bewerkstelligen — to accomplish
  • Dutch: verwezenlijken — to accomplish
  • Dutch: tot stand brengen — to accomplish
  • Finnish: saavuttaa — to accomplish
  • Finnish: saada aikaan — to accomplish
  • French: accomplir — to accomplish
  • French: effectuer — to accomplish
  • French: réaliser — to accomplish
  • German: zustande bringen — to accomplish
  • German: bewerkstelligen — to accomplish
  • Hungarian: végrehajt — to accomplish
  • Hungarian: véghez visz — to accomplish
  • Hungarian: teljesít — to accomplish
  • Hungarian: elvégez — to accomplish
  • Hungarian: megvalósít — to accomplish
  • Polish: dokonywać — to accomplish
  • Polish: dokonać — to accomplish
  • Russian: осуществля́ть (osuščestvljátʹ) — to accomplish
  • Russian: осуществи́ть (osuščestvítʹ) — to accomplish
  • Spanish: lograr — to accomplish
  • Turkish: başarmak — to accomplish