Reach vs. Achieve: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 2, 2023
"Reach refers to arriving at a point or level, while achieve means to successfully accomplish a goal or task."
Key Differences
Reach and Achieve are terms that describe different points in the process of attainment. Reach typically refers to the action of arriving at a certain point, level, or location, whether physically, metaphorically, or conceptually. Achieve, however, generally refers to accomplishing, completing, or succeeding in a task, objective, or goal, typically involving effort or skill.
The concept of Reach can be visualized as extending oneself to touch, to arrive, or to attain, and it can be more about the journey or the process. It does not necessarily imply completion or success. Achieve is more about the endpoint, about fulfilling an objective or attaining success, it emphasizes accomplishment and realization of a goal or a task.
In the context of goals, to reach implies getting to a set point, level, or stage in the process. It could denote proximity or access. Achieve implies completion and success in attaining the goal. It’s about realizing aspirations and fulfilling objectives, bringing a sense of accomplishment and often, finality to the task at hand.
Reach can also imply potential, the ability or capacity to attain or achieve. It’s about accessibility and possibility. Achieve, conversely, is about realization and actualization. It speaks to accomplishing and fulfilling, translating potential into reality, turning possibility into actuality.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To arrive at a point or level.
To successfully accomplish a goal or task.
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Implication
Arriving, extending, accessing.
Completing, succeeding, fulfilling.
Focus
The process or journey.
The endpoint or goal.
Aspect
Can imply potential and possibility.
Implies realization and actualization.
Context
More about proximity or access.
More about accomplishment and success.
Reach and Achieve Definitions
Reach
To arrive at a destination.
We will reach the city by noon.
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Achieve
To successfully bring about or reach a desired objective or result.
She worked hard to achieve her goals.
Reach
To achieve a specific level or condition.
The water level will reach its peak by evening.
Achieve
To accomplish with effort, skill, or courage.
He managed to achieve a high score on the test.
Reach
To communicate or make contact with.
He could not reach his friends due to network issues.
Achieve
To bring to a successful conclusion.
The team was able to achieve the project before the deadline.
Reach
To stretch in extent or range.
His influence can reach many through social media.
Achieve
To gain with effort or despite difficulty; reach
Achieve fame as a singer.
Achieve a record speed.
Reach
To stretch out or put forth (a body part); extend
Reached out an arm.
Achieve
To succeed in accomplishing; bring about
Achieve a task.
Achieve an improvement in foreign relations.
Reach
To touch or grasp by stretching out or extending
Can't reach the shelf.
Achieve
To accomplish something successfully; perform at a standard or above standard level
Skills needed to achieve in school.
Reach
To arrive at; attain
Reached their destination.
Reached a conclusion.
Achieve
(intransitive) To succeed in something, now especially in academic performance.
Reach
To succeed in getting in contact with or communicating with
They reached us by phone. Our newsletter reaches a specialized readership.
Achieve
(transitive) To carry out successfully; to accomplish.
You can achieve anything if you put your mind to it.
Hannah achieved her lifelong dream of winning a medal at the Olympics.
Reach
To succeed in having an effect on
No one seems able to reach her anymore.
Achieve
To conclude, finish, especially successfully.
Reach
To extend as far as
The property reaches the shore.
Achieve
(transitive) To obtain, or gain (a desired result, objective etc.), as the result of exertion; to succeed in gaining; to win.
Reach
To project as far as
A distant cry reached our ears.
Achieve
To conclude, to turn out.
Reach
To travel as far as
A long fly ball that reached the stadium's wall.
Achieve
To obtain (a material thing).
Show all the spoils by valiant kings achieved.
Reach
To aggregate or amount to
Sales reached the millions.
Achieve
To carry on to a final close; to bring out into a perfected state; to accomplish; to perform; - as, to achieve a feat, an exploit, an enterprise.
Supposing faculties and powers to be the same, far more may be achieved in any line by the aid of a capital, invigorating motive than without it.
Reach
(Informal) To grasp and hand over to another
Reach me the sugar.
Achieve
To obtain, or gain, as the result of exertion; to succeed in gaining; to win.
Some are born great, some achieve greatness.
Thou hast achieved our liberty.
Show all the spoils by valiant kings achieved.
He hath achieved a maidThat paragons description.
Reach
To extend or move a hand, arm, or other body part, especially when trying to touch or grasp something
Reached for a book.
Reach into a pocket.
Achieve
To finish; to kill.
Reach
To have extension in space or time
A coat that reaches to the knee.
A career that reached over several decades.
Achieve
To gain with effort;
She achieved her goal despite setbacks
Reach
To have an influence or effect
A philosophy that reaches into many disciplines.
Achieve
To realize or fulfill one's potential.
She strives to achieve her full potential in her career.
Reach
To make an effort to address the needs of a group or community. Often used with out
A program to reach out to disengaged youth.
Achieve
To earn as a result of one's actions or efforts.
He achieved recognition for his contributions to the field.
Reach
(Nautical) To sail with the wind abeam.
Reach
The act or an instance of stretching or thrusting out
The frog caught the insect with a sudden reach of its tongue.
Reach
The extent or distance something can reach
A boxer with a long reach.
Reach
Range of understanding; comprehension
A subject beyond my reach.
Reach
Range or scope of influence or effect
The reach of the transmitter.
Reach
An expanse of land or water, such as a stretch of water visible between bends in a river or channel.
Reach
A rank or level in a social group or organization
The lower reaches of society.
Reach
A pole connecting the rear axle of a vehicle with the front.
Reach
(Nautical) The tack of a sailing vessel with the wind abeam.
Reach
(intransitive) To extend, stretch, or thrust out (for example a limb or object held in the hand).
He reached for a weapon that was on the table.
He reached for his shoe with his legs.
Reach
(transitive) To give to someone by stretching out a limb, especially the hand; to give with the hand; to pass to another person; to hand over.
To reach one a book
Reach
(intransitive) To stretch out the hand.
Reach
(transitive) To attain or obtain by stretching forth the hand; to extend some part of the body, or something held, so as to touch, strike, grasp, etc.
To reach an object with the hand, or with a spear
“I can't quite reach the pepper. Could you pass it to me?”
The gun was stored in a small box on a high closet shelf, but the boy managed to reach it by climbing on other boxes.
Reach
To strike or touch.
His bullet reached its intended target.
Reach
To extend an action, effort, or influence to; to penetrate to; to pierce, or cut.
Reach
(transitive) To extend to; to stretch out as far as; to touch by virtue of extent.
His hand reaches the river
When the forest reaches the river, you will be able to rest.
Reach
(transitive) To arrive at (a place) by effort of any kind.
After three years, he reached the position of manager.
The climbers reached the top of the mountain after a gruelling ten-day hike.
Reach
To make contact with.
I tried to reach you all day.
Reach
To connect with (someone) on an emotional level, making them receptive of (one); to get through to (someone).
What will it take for me to reach him?
Reach
To arrive at a particular destination.
Reach
(transitive) To continue living until or up to (a certain age).
You can only access the inheritance money when you reach the age of 25.
Reach
(obsolete) To understand; to comprehend.
Reach
To strain after something; to make (sometimes futile or pretentious) efforts.
Reach for your dreams.
Reach for the stars!
Reach
(intransitive) To extend in dimension, time etc.; to stretch out continuously (past, beyond, above, from etc. something).
Reach
(nautical) To sail on the wind, as from one point of tacking to another, or with the wind nearly abeam.
Reach
To arrive at a particular destination, especially to join someone; to meet up.
What time you reaching tomorrow?
Reach
The act of stretching or extending; extension.
Reach
The ability to reach or touch with the person, a limb, or something held or thrown.
The fruit is beyond my reach.
To be within reach of cannon shot
Reach
The power of stretching out or extending action, influence, or the like; power of attainment or management; extent of force or capacity.
Reach
Extent; stretch; expanse; hence, application; influence; result; scope.
Reach
(informal) An exaggeration; an extension beyond evidence or normal; a stretch.
To call George eloquent is certainly a reach.
Reach
(boxing) The distance a boxer's arm can extend to land a blow.
Reach
(nautical) Any point of sail in which the wind comes from the side of a vessel, excluding close-hauled.
Reach
(nautical) The distance traversed between tacks.
Reach
(nautical) A stretch of a watercourse which can be sailed in one reach (in the previous sense). An extended portion of water; a stretch; a straightish portion of a stream, river, or arm of the sea extending up into the land, as from one turn to another. By extension, the adjacent land.
Reach
A level stretch of a watercourse, as between rapids in a river or locks in a canal. (examples?)
Reach
An extended portion or area of land or water.
Reach
(obsolete) An article to obtain an advantage.
Reach
The pole or rod connecting the rear axle with the forward bolster of a wagon.
Reach
(obsolete or dialect) retch.
Reach
To retch.
Reach
To extend; to stretch; to thrust out; to put forth, as a limb, a member, something held, or the like.
Her tresses yellow, and long straughten,Unto her heeles down they raughten.
Reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side.
Fruit trees, over woody, reached too farTheir pampered boughs.
Reach
Hence, to deliver by stretching out a member, especially the hand; to give with the hand; to pass to another; to hand over; as, to reach one a book.
He reached me a full cup.
Reach
To attain or obtain by stretching forth the hand; to extend some part of the body, or something held by one, so as to touch, strike, grasp, or the like; as, to reach an object with the hand, or with a spear.
O patron power, . . . thy present aid afford,Than I may reach the beast.
Reach
To strike, hit, or touch with a missile; as, to reach an object with an arrow, a bullet, or a shell.
Reach
Hence, to extend an action, effort, or influence to; to penetrate to; to pierce, or cut, as far as.
If these examples of grown men reach not the case of children, let them examine.
Reach
To extend to; to stretch out as far as; to touch by virtue of extent; as, his land reaches the river.
Thy desire . . . leads to no excessThat reaches blame.
Reach
To arrive at; to come to; to get as far as.
Before this letter reaches your hands.
Reach
To arrive at by effort of any kind; to attain to; to gain; to be advanced to.
The best account of the appearances of nature which human penetration can reach, comes short of its reality.
Reach
To understand; to comprehend.
Do what, sir? I reach you not.
Reach
To overreach; to deceive.
Reach
To stretch out the hand.
Goddess humane, reach, then, and freely taste!
Reach
To strain after something; to make efforts.
Reaching above our nature does no good.
Reach
To extend in dimension, time, amount, action, influence, etc., so as to touch, attain to, or be equal to, something.
And behold, a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven.
The new world reaches quite across the torrid zone.
Reach
To sail on the wind, as from one point of tacking to another, or with the wind nearly abeam.
He would be in the posture of the mind reaching after a positive idea of infinity.
Reach
An effort to vomit.
Reach
The act of stretching or extending; extension; power of reaching or touching with the person, or a limb, or something held or thrown; as, the fruit is beyond my reach; to be within reach of cannon shot.
Reach
The power of stretching out or extending action, influence, or the like; power of attainment or management; extent of force or capacity.
Drawn by others who had deeper reaches than themselves to matters which they least intended.
Be sure yourself and your own reach to know.
Reach
Extent; stretch; expanse; hence, application; influence; result; scope.
And on the left hand, hell,With long reach, interposed.
I am to pray you not to strain my speechTo grosser issues, nor to larger reachThan to suspicion.
Reach
An extended portion of land or water; a stretch; a straight portion of a stream or river, as from one turn to another; a level stretch, as between locks in a canal; an arm of the sea extending up into the land.
The coast . . . is very full of creeks and reaches.
Reach
An artifice to obtain an advantage.
The Duke of Parma had particular reaches and ends of his own underhand to cross the design.
Reach
The pole or rod which connects the hind axle with the forward bolster of a wagon.
Reach
The limits within which something can be effective;
Range of motion
He was beyond the reach of their fire
Reach
An area in which something acts or operates or has power or control:
The range of a supersonic jet
The ambit of municipal legislation
Within the compass of this article
Within the scope of an investigation
Outside the reach of the law
In the political orbit of a world power
Reach
The act of physically reaching or thrusting out
Reach
The limit of capability;
Within the compass of education
Reach
Reach a destination, either real or abstract;
We hit Detroit by noon
The water reached the doorstep
We barely made it to the finish line
I have to hit the MAC machine before the weekend starts
Reach
Reach a point in time, or a certain state or level;
The thermometer hit 100 degrees
This car can reach a speed of 140 miles per hour
Reach
Move forward or upward in order to touch; also in a metaphorical sense;
Government reaches out to the people
Reach
Be in or establish communication with;
Our advertisements reach millions
He never contacted his children after he emigrated to Australia
Reach
To gain with effort;
She achieved her goal despite setbacks
Reach
To extend as far as;
The sunlight reached the wall
Can he reach?
The chair must not touch the wall
Reach
Reach a goal, e.g.,
Make the first team
We made it!
She may not make the grade
Reach
Place into the hands or custody of;
Hand me the spoon, please
Turn the files over to me, please
He turned over the prisoner to his lawyers
Reach
To exert much effort or energy;
Straining our ears to hear
Reach
To extend to touch or grab something.
She had to reach high to get the jar from the shelf.
FAQs
Can reach refer to arriving at a place?
Yes, reach can refer to arriving at a specific location or point.
Is achieving about fulfilling objectives?
Yes, achieving is about fulfilling or completing objectives or goals.
Does achieve imply success?
Yes, to achieve something generally implies successfully accomplishing a goal or task.
Does achieve require effort or skill?
Generally, achieving something does require effort, skill, or both.
Does reach mean obtaining a level or condition?
Yes, reach can mean obtaining or achieving a specific level, condition, or state.
Is reach about extending oneself?
Yes, reach often involves extending oneself physically or metaphorically to touch, arrive, or attain.
Can reach also imply potential?
Yes, reach can imply the potential or capacity to attain or achieve something.
Is reach more about the journey or process?
Yes, reach is often more about the journey, process, or action of getting to a certain point.
Can achieving be about realizing potential?
Yes, achieving can involve realizing or actualizing one's potential.
Can achievement be a result of one's actions?
Yes, achievement is often the result of one's actions, efforts, or endeavors.
Is achievement synonymous with success?
Yes, achievement is often synonymous with success, accomplishment, and realization.
Can reach be about proximity?
Yes, reach can refer to proximity or closeness to a point, level, or location.
Does achieving involve finality?
Achieving often involves a sense of finality or completion in fulfilling a goal or task.
Can achievement be earned?
Yes, achievement can be earned through one's actions, efforts, or contributions.
Is achievement about realization?
Yes, achievement is about realization, accomplishment, and fulfillment of objectives.
Can achievement be related to courage?
Yes, achieving something may require courage, especially when facing challenges or obstacles.
Can reach imply accessibility?
Yes, reach can imply accessibility, availability, or possibility of attaining something.
Does reaching involve effort?
Reaching can involve effort, especially when trying to touch, attain, or arrive at something challenging.
Can one reach out to make contact?
Yes, "reach out" can mean making contact or communicating with someone.
Can reach mean to influence?
Yes, reach can refer to the extent of influence or impact one can have.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
