attain

verb

ə-ˈtān How to pronounce attain (audio)
Definition of attainnext
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

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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 While the telephone and television took decades to reach 100 million users, ChatGPT and TikTok attained that threshold in a matter of months. — Raghupathy Sivakumar, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026 That show, launched in 2020, attained a cult following — it was named Best Podcasts of the Year by outlets like Vogue, Esquire and Cosmopolitan. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026 Such a regime could attain its ends by making only a small number of opponents suffer physically while leaving the rest in psychological torment, wondering if or when the blow will fall. — Mark Lilla, The New York Review of Books, 29 Sep. 2026 Rabies in humans is completely preventable but medical help must be attained right away, according to the CDC. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attain
  1. achieve
  2. earn
  3. win
  4. gain
  5. reap
  6. obtain
  7. garner
  8. make
Verb
  • The problem, Snegovaya said, is that achieving military autonomy for Europe and Ukraine is extremely difficult in the short term, and Europe has been slow to develop the necessary capabilities.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, second-unit director Peter Ramsey worked alongside stunt performers, with some creature interactions achieved through surprisingly simple physical stand-ins.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of achieve
Verb
  • The Gators earned the program's first road win at a top-10 opponent since 2012.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • But sitting on vast swaths of land for years and building very little has earned him some criticism.
    — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of earn
Verb
  • But Ben-Gvir and his allies hope to win enough seats to force Netanyahu to accommodate their demands or risk losing power.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Election Day nears The stakes are high as the race Marshall was supposed to win handily is now neck-and-neck, according to recent polling.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of win
Verb
  • Whether lawmakers accept those limits will help determine how much authority the federal government gains over advanced AI systems.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • North Korean engineers have learned from time spent working in Russia’s massive Yelabuga drone factory, and North Korean forces fighting alongside Russia have gained firsthand experience in integrating drones into modern combat.
    — Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of gain
Verb
  • Investors sent chip stocks soaring this year on expectations for a massive AI buildout and a shortage of chips that would allow the companies to reap enormous profits.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Hopefully, Miami can begin to reap the benefits from the lumps that the trio of defensive linemen — Grant, Phillips and Biggers — received during their up-and-down rookie campaigns in 2025.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of reap
Verb
  • The hackers also obtained access to unique student identifier numbers as well as information about gender, race or ethnicity, primary language, country of origin and English learner status.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Detectives identified a person of interest and obtained a search warrant for a residence.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of obtain
Verb
  • That’s more than double the cash Tesla’s been garnering from operations in the last few quarters, meaning that will have a much bigger cash deficit in the final three months of 2026.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • With luxury bags and accessory live shows garnering more than 150 million views so far in 2026, Coach is expected to see the biggest benefit at the accessible price point.
    — Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of garner
Verb
  • Assembly Republican Leader Alexandra Macedo, R-Tulare, did not explicitly say that the governor should hold off on commuting sentences, but urged him to consider the parents who had to bury their children before making the decision.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Its stainless steel body can last for years of making pour-over coffee every morning or evening cups of hot tea, and the kettle also comes in handy to boil water fast for everyday recipes.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of make

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attacks
attain
attainability
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Cite this Entry

“Attain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attain. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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