EARN Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

earn

verb

ˈərn

Definition of earn

as in to win

to receive as return for effort during my teen years I earned pocket money by mowing lawns

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to deserve

to be or make worthy of (as a reward or punishment) you've earned the afternoon off after all that hard work

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 earn Housing prices and expenses have risen dramatically without a comparable rise in what many households earn. — Dan Bray, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026 Lugo earned a no-decision; Cruz picked up his fourth save of the season. — Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2026 Their classic Butter Pecan earned Blue Ribbons both years, too. — Nancy Vienneau, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2026 The film earned four Oscar nominations, winning for best supporting actor for John Gielgud as butler Hobson. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for earn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for earn

Verb

In the last few years, Penn State’s singular focus – to win a national championship – clouded everything else.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
The club was rebuilding after the 1958 Munich air disaster but won a first post-Munich trophy, the FA Cup, earlier that year.

— Andy Mitten, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of win

Verb

The pastry chef deserves a special shout-out, too, not least for the doorstop wedge of baklava in Kafeneo.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Unusual circumstances can expand our understanding of an artist, raising legitimate questions and illuminating aspects of a career that deserves serious consideration.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of deserve

Verb

As the perfumery acknowledges, these collaborations allow the brand to gain exposure in other creative spheres while also creating a product that is reflective of both specialties.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
During last week’s earnings call, FanDuel’s parent company, Flutter, noted its prediction market platform can gain customers faster in states where sportsbooks are still under scrutiny.

— Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of gain

Verb

The men’s World Cup showed that brands do not need to spend millions of dollars on becoming an official partner to garner attention.

— Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Lindell garnered national attention in the aftermath of the 2020 election as a prominent election denier.

— Connor Greene, Time, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of garner

Verb

And artists deserve a fair pay percentage for work that assists their employers in making profits.

— Pat Saperstein, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Republicans hope to pick up four more House districts in November after the state redrew its congressional map earlier this year and made those districts more GOP-friendly.

— Emily Chang, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of make

Verb

Authorities said tens of millions of additional dollars were solicited before the SEC obtained a temporary restraining order against Drive Planning in August 2024.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
After obtaining racino approval from the Illinois Gaming Board in the summer of 2020, many in the racing community suggested that Carey put up a temporary facility as the Waukegan licensee, Bally’s in Chicago and others have done.

— Neil Milbert, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of obtain

Verb

Side effects were similar to other vaccines that people typically get for other diseases, Healy noted.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
The Lions lead back is sure to get as many or more touches this year with David Montgomery gone, and Detroit’s offense will score points.

— Jess Bryant, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of get

Browse Nearby Words

earmarks

earn

earned

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Earn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earn. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of earn

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on earn

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

divulge

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes