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 The dominant rushing attack that earned them four lopsided wins to start the season was more methodical than punishing, but Cleveland High still ground out a 24-18 nonleague victory Friday over host Crenshaw. — Joel Beers, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026 But Berger really wanted to hit the Lido with Conclave (the film would later earn its world premiere in Telluride). — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026 Recently, though, the idea earned a boost from the federal Department of Transportation. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 25 Sep. 2026 In any case, a violation is still a violation, so the company earned its fine and was given six months to ensure its data processing practices comply with the GDPR. — Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for earn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for earn

Verb

McGovern lost, Obama won—but Obama won the presidency without transforming the Democratic foreign-policy class.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
The Moroccan Constitution requires the king to appoint the head of government from the party that wins the most seats in legislative elections.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of win

Verb

Rooms Since its 2023 renovation, the hotel’s capacity decreased from 104 rooms to just 80, made up of 44 rooms and 36 suites, all of which have gained a generous amount of space.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026
Sporting black turtlenecks a la Steve Jobs, Holmes first gained renown and then infamy as the tech was unmasked as fraudulent by the Wall Street Journal and a subsequent federal investigation.

— Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of gain

Verb

Victim of its own success However, the fact that demand for Novo’s products—and production—abroad is so massive means that its domestic economy isn’t reaping all the benefits.

— Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026
Applying onto damp hair is ideal, but not the only chance to reap its benefits.

— Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of reap

Verb

Regarding the types of self-service devices currently in use, the research showed that self-checkout terminals remain the most widely adopted at 89 percent, while scan-and-go via smartphone apps garnered 77 percent.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
Fairlane has garnered a string of unflattering headlines in recent years, including for unpaid taxes and utility bills, unplowed snow in the parking lot and a 2024 Christmas tree inside the mall that wasn't take down until this year.

— JC Reindl, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of garner

Verb

Many of the condition’s early signs, such as depression or impulsivity, can stem from other factors, and some experts worry about making premature diagnoses.

— Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
After lying dormant for over twenty years, the property has been completely renovated to make the space feel tasteful, modern, and comfortable while continuing to pay tribute to its deep archival roots.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of make

Verb

Try to obtain sand that has the same blend of both particle size and color.

— Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Different views on the topic Bianco’s legal team argued that the sheriff had a duty to investigate a complaint alleging discrepancies in the election and had acted lawfully after obtaining search warrants from a neutral magistrate.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of obtain

Verb

Menopausal women spent years unable to get relief from the potentially deadly but often preventable effects of recurrent urinary tract infections, due to the FDA’s black box warning for estrogen products.

— Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 24 Sep. 2026
Even if Xi’s trip proves to be more form than function, Lyle Goldstein, the director of the Asia Program at Defense Priorities, argued that getting the pair in the same room is a step in the right direction.

— Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 24 Sep. 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 28 Sep. 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

fungible

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes