perform

v.

1. To accomplish an action

   do, make, achieve, accomplish, fulfill, execute, transact, carry out, carry off, carry through, discharge, effect, enforce, administer, complete, consummate, carry on, conduct, act, operate, function, work, finish, realize, implement, go about, go through with, discharge the duties of, put through, work out, devote oneself to, come through with, be engaged in, see to, bring off, bring about, engage in, concern oneself with, have effect, fall to, do justice to, do one's part, give oneself up to, make a move, put in motion, put in force, follow through, apply oneself to, put across, deal with, carry into execution, take care of, look to, take measures, acquit oneself, act on, make it one's business, dispose of, bring to pass, do what is expected of one, put into effect, occupy oneself with, take action, address oneself to, put in action, deliver, do one's stuff*, lift a finger*, keep one's hand in*, muddle through*, have free play*, go in for*, make short work of*, pull off; see also achieve 1, act 1, operate 2.

   Antonyms fail*, neglect*, ignore. *

2. To present a performance

   give, present, enact, play, offer, impersonate, show, exhibit, display, act out, dramatize, execute, put on the stage, produce, rehearse, act the part of, tread the boards, put on an act, act one's part, go through one's repertoire, go through tricks; see also act 3.

3. *To behave in a ludicrous manner

   clown, play the fool, show off; see joke, misbehave.

perform, sometimes a mere formal equivalent for do, is usually used of an involved, demanding, or established process to perform an experiment, to perform a marriage ceremony; execute implies the putting into effect or completing of something that has been planned or ordered to execute a law; accomplish implies success in carrying out a plan or purpose and may suggest effort and perseverance to accomplish a mission; achieve implies the overcoming of obstacles in accomplishing something of worth or importance to achieve a lasting peace; effect also suggests the conquering of difficulties but emphasizes what has been done to bring about the result his cure was effected by the use of a combination of drugs; fulfill implies the full realization of what is expected or demanded to fulfill a promise