earn

verb

ˈərn How to pronounce earn (audio)
Definition of earnnext
1
as in to win
to receive as return for effort during my teen years I earned pocket money by mowing lawns

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 Following its release in 1967, the film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including best actor for Hoffman and best actress for Anne Bancroft, and ultimately earned Nichols a statue for best director. — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026 But the group on the floor had earned another possession together, then another. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026 Three Broward County athletes earned bronze medals Friday night at the FHSAA Class 3A state swimming and diving championships at the Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training Center (FAST) in Ocala. — Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2026 And Doncic doing too much and earning his first MVP honor wouldn’t do anything for the Lakers’ championship chances if he’s spent by the time the postseason starts. — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for earn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earn
  1. win
  2. deserve
  3. gain
  4. reap
  5. garner
  6. make
  7. obtain
  8. get
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
  • Other voters are less certain about which party deserves their support.
    — Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Projects require careful oversight, and communities deserve a voice in how investments are made.
    — H. Russell Frisby, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of deserve
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
  • Most of that debt is tied to assessments these hospitals owe the state as part of a complex tax scheme that in the past allowed Illinois to reap higher Medicaid payments from the federal government for redistribution to the hospitals.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Through the spring and summer the forest in this mountain backcountry had been blessed with abundant rainfall and the wild creatures were busy reaping the berries, seeds and other browse.
    — Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of reap
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
Verb
  • Though noteworthy, polling suggests Latino voters care more about results than his history-making win.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Plus, most rooms have a recycling bin in addition to a trash bin in the larger kitchenettes and the custom mattresses are eco-friendly, US made, and toxin-free.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of make
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
  • Loukeman, who mixed the record and nabs a couple co-production credits, proves a real asset to getting this across.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026
  • But only one got a victory parade on Wednesday — and a quintessentially Bay Area one at that.
    — Lauren Segal, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of get

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Cite this Entry

“Earn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earn. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about earn

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