1
as in to achieve
to obtain (as a goal) through effort
Napoléon had attained mastery of much of Europe at that point
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to earn
to receive as return for effort
with hard work she will inevitably attain success in her chosen profession
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 attain
What came after needs to be reckoned with, perhaps requiring more distance to attain perspective.
—
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
Try Oribe’s Styling Butter Curl Enhancing Crème, made with olive and avocado oils to attain deeply penetrating hydration.
—Talia Gutierrez, Glamour, 30 Sep. 2025
Baz’s intelligence also stretches to the sense that Knight will go back to Bond’s beginnings as a Royal Navy Commander before he was recruited by MI6, the UK’s foreign intelligence agency, and chart how Bond attained 007 status.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025
Cassidy, a full-time teacher, was just six months away from attaining her degree in education, while Connor had recently been promoted in her role as a personal assistant.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attain
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
Try Oribe’s Styling Butter Curl Enhancing Crème, made with olive and avocado oils to attain deeply penetrating hydration.
—Talia Gutierrez, Glamour, 30 Sep. 2025
Baz’s intelligence also stretches to the sense that Knight will go back to Bond’s beginnings as a Royal Navy Commander before he was recruited by MI6, the UK’s foreign intelligence agency, and chart how Bond attained 007 status.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025
Cassidy, a full-time teacher, was just six months away from attaining her degree in education, while Connor had recently been promoted in her role as a personal assistant.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attain
Verb
-
That’s what researchers at Columbia University have now achieved.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
-
David Beckham, renowned as one of the greatest footballers of all time, achieved most of his wealth through a combination of soccer club wages and multiple endorsement deals with global brands like Pepsi, Adidas, and Armani, to name a few.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One reason is that the fan base is demoralized after La Vinotinto was routed 6-3 by Colombia in the final qualifying date last month and failed to earn a World Cup playoff spot.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Students study for three years to earn their doctor of nursing practice degree, which requires 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Missouri could have won its 16th straight at home Saturday but lost to the Crimson Tide.—
Jim Keyser,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Pittsburg State has won five straight and stands 5-1, 4-1 in the MIAA.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Whether the move is about Netflix’s push into ads, gaining a better foothold locally or retaining subscribers — or all three — is yet to be discovered.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Manning was sacked just once and the line paved the way for Quintrevion Wisner to gain 93 yards in the final three quarters after the running back netted just 1 in the first period.—
Sam Khan Jr,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Grays were generally intellectual tech elites who would reap the fruits of technological progress.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Outside of the Kendrick of it all, two of hip-hop’s leading ladies are also likely to reap bids in this category.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But it is required to obtain state permits to ensure the waste does not contaminate the environment or local water sources.—
Anjeanette Damon,
ProPublica,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Deutsche Bank’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein Documents obtained by Fortune reveal that Deutsche Bank opened more than 40 accounts for disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and processed millions of dollars in allegedly suspicious transactions, even as allegations against him persisted.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The show became a cultural phenomenon, though Keaton garnered early press for refusing a $50 nightly bonus to shed her clothes during performances, according to Playbill.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The brand has already garnered a strong following stateside, with Neiman Marcus among wholesale accounts, and is now opening international wholesale.—
Alex Wynne,
Footwear News,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Multiple board members cited the ability to make the time commitment and experience in K-12 education as desirable characteristics.—
Edward McKinnon,
Arkansas Online,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Farke has a decision to make at Turf Moor on Saturday.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attain. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share