1
as in achieves
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 earns
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
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Recent Examples of attains
But if a person seeking status is already wealthy or attains corporate sponsorship, for instance, a viable pathway to citizenship opens up, even if only slightly.
—
Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
Gemini attains a very favorable position almost directly overhead.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Robert surreptitiously attains Alfred’s workbook/diary, where many secrets may exist.
—Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
Gemini attains a very favorable position almost directly overhead.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Robert surreptitiously attains Alfred’s workbook/diary, where many secrets may exist.
—Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attains
Verb
-
The telling is harrowing, but also humorous at times, and achieves an emotional register that had me, essentially, transfixed.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Here, the Sport+ drive mode does a commendable job of keeping the transmission in the meaty parts of the powerband, while dialing the dampers back to Sport achieves the right balance of body control and compliance on these less-than-perfect road surfaces.—
Bradley Iger,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Congress earns trust by solving problems — lowering costs, improving people’s lives and being transparent.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Walnut Creek resident and photojournalist Manny Crisostomo earns the spotlight too.—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Two officials stood above the players, with one signaling touchdown (meaning Tate caught the ball, Seattle wins) and the other signaling touchback (meaning Jennings caught the ball, Green Bay wins).—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
Because that means Wyoming wins and Texas wins.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
However, an artist’s innate defiance reaps the best art.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The mower does the work, and your lawn reaps the benefits.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Gray gains entry to three new markets as part of the deal that began in March and will have overlap in seven others.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
4 May 2026
-
In downtown Hartford, gains in asking rent, not including fees, have slowed since 2020, but are still on the rise.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
If neither Bass nor Raman garners more that 50% of the vote, as occurred in the now incumbent’s battle with developer Rick Caruso in 2022, then the election goes to a runoff on November 3, the same day as the potentially seismic midterms.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
1 May 2026
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Interacting with an audience is now an essential journalistic value as the engagement garners an audience’s attention.—
Kirstin Pellizzaro,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Federal Judge Richard Leon imposed a preliminary injunction earlier this month that paused above-ground construction until the administration obtains congressional approval.—
Arden Farhi,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
An employer subject to a stop order must pay its employees for up to 10 days for time lost until the employer obtains insurance.—
Dan Eaton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rodriguez is happy to see things coming together as conference play gets into full swing.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attains. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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