ACQUIRE Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

acquire

verb

ə-ˈkwī(-ə)r

Definition of acquire

as in to develop

to come to have gradually from years of working two jobs, he has acquired the ability to get by on only a few hours of sleep a day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to earn

to receive as return for effort acquired a reputation for always arriving at his friends' house just as they were sitting down to dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of acquire The Rams acquired the five-time All-Pro from the Browns and bolstered their secondary by adding cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. — Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026 But the difference-maker for Philly — of this, there is no doubt — is the presence of Brown, acquired from Boston in a trade that will be discussed for decades. — David Aldridge, New York Times, 25 July 2026 Generally, about 1 in 5 is acquired during international travel. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 25 July 2026 The team acquired Ryan McMahon, Amed Rosario and Austin Slater with some time to spare, while David Bednar, Camilo Doval, Jake Bird and José Caballero were all acquired the day of the deadline. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for acquire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for acquire

Verb

As Chinese companies have rushed to develop AI models and hardware that can rival that of the US, the government has also carefully rolled out incremental measures to maintain social stability.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
Another generation of family members and in-laws developed Ballantyne, another upscale neighborhood with homes, restaurants, retail, and corporate offices.

— Chase Jordan July 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026

Definition of develop

Verb

Elsewhere, Thekla defends the AEW Women's World Championship against Willow Nightingale, who earned the opportunity by winning a Casino Gauntlet match.

— Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Langkraehr earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Missouri, according to his Linkedin profile.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026

Definition of earn

Verb

Her office told me the bill essentially unlocks federal funds to help more neighborhoods gain protection from noise pollution.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 26 July 2026
Related movements like slowmaxxing, which encourages a deliberate slowing of routines and meals, have gained traction as a response to productivity culture.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of gain

Verb

Seoul — The AI gold rush is minting new fortunes, but the ex-wife of one of South Korea’s biggest tech titans has failed to win a greater share of his wealth as his company’s stock price has soared.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
In a career that ended in 2023, Harvick won 60 NASCAR Cup Series races, including the 2007 Daytona 500, three wins in the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2003, 2019, and 2020, and the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Championship.

— Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026

Definition of win

Verb

The already rich reap the most, though the thin spreading of payments means the payouts are relatively miserly for the game’s elite.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Long-term value will be reaped by whomever controls the environments where AI operates rather than the models themselves.

— Francis Sideco, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of reap

Verb

Rather than mixing in lime to obtain magnesium hydroxide, PNNL flows seawater alongside (side-by-side) a base, such as sodium hydroxide, in a co-flow reactor.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 July 2026
But the Spokane Airport Board also agreed to a $1,000 a month car allowance and a $50,000 relocation allowance, according to an agreement obtained via a records request.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 26 July 2026

Definition of obtain

Verb

Reid essentially rose to cult status in the Twin Cities as an undrafted free agent, playing a prominent role in helping the Timberwolves reach the Western Conference Finals and garnering the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year honors.

— Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
The chain, known for its no-talking, no-texting policy, recently introduced a new mobile ordering service to replace the traditional mode of pen-and-paper at the hands of servers, which has garnered criticism from some movie theater purists.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 22 July 2026

Definition of garner

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acquirable

acquire

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“Acquire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acquire. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of acquire

verb

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