acquire

verb

ə-ˈkwī(-ə)r How to pronounce acquire (audio)
Definition of acquirenext
1
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
2
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 In 1874 Medill acquired control of a majority of the newspaper's stock. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026 Leach spent seven years at the company, which was acquired by Medtronic in 2001. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2026 Vaneast Pictures has acquired worldwide sales rights and will launch the project for buyers ahead of next week’s AFM. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2026 Indy seeks a first-round pick or comparable value, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported Friday, citing the San Francisco 49ers’ 2022 package to acquire Christian McCaffrey — a second, third, fourth and fifth-round pick — as a reference point. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for acquire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acquire
  1. develop
  2. earn
  3. cultivate
  4. gain
  5. win
  6. reap
  7. obtain
  8. garner
Verb
  • The partners will also examine the coil’s efficiency under power-plant-relevant conditions and develop predictive models to assess its performance.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Officials said the woman developed respiratory symptoms in mid-October and was diagnosed with influenza A.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of develop
Verb
  • The New York Red Bulls took advantage of an early own goal, added an Emil Forsberg score in second-half stoppage time and capitalized on a limited appearance by Lionel Messi to earn a crucial 2-0 victory over Inter Miami on Saturday.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Prior to working in Hollywood, Atchity served as an assistant professor of English and comparative literature at Occidental College before earning tenure and becoming a full-time professor.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of earn
Verb
  • In other cases the cells may be cultivated in a bioreactor, in which they are suspended and kept in motion; constant spinning encourages the cells to self-organize into multilayered, three-dimensional structures.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Her musical influences, similarly incongruous on their face, stem from an era of digital music post-iTunes and pre-slop when casual internet explorers could cultivate a sprawling taste profile for free.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of cultivate
Verb
  • Nevada Democrats will also gain a supermajority in the Assembly.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Even before gaining overnight climate control, the 242-hp California eHybrid 4Motion was an easy favorite among all California powertrain options because of that efficient, range anxiety-defeating gas-electric capability.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of gain
Verb
  • Newsom won his 2018 gubernatorial primary with the help of the California Nurses Assn.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Now a tax cut, which puts India on par with several Asian markets, is being proposed to win back these investors.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of win
Verb
  • Its goal is to ensure that communities, not corporations, reap the benefits of the tech boom.
    — Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Even the red carpet is reaping the benefit; just take Carey Mulligan’s pleated silver gown, for instance.
    — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of reap
Verb
  • The department has not publicly confirmed how the information was obtained.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Did Department of Government Efficiency personnel obtain access to sensitive, nonpublic contracting information at federal agencies that do business with Elon Musk’s companies?
    — Thomas Kahn, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of obtain
Verb
  • Rachel Weatherington, who challenged political newcomer Geramie Parrish in the Place 4 race, was ahead with 70% of the vote with Parrish garnering 30%, according to unofficial, incomplete results from Tarrant County.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Cothiere garnered a much lower vote share than Wilson did in the crowded eight-person August primary to Wilson.
    — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of garner

Browse Nearby Words

acquirable
acquire
acquired
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Acquire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acquire. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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