earned

verb

past tense of earn
1
as in won
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 deserved
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 earned No one is questioning that Davion Mitchell has earned and is capable of holding a spot in the Heat’s rotation. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026 After attending Bucharest’s Academy of Theatrical Arts and Cinematography, she was accepted into NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, then later earned a master’s degree from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026 Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show has earned him his first Emmy for variety special (live); the show won seven awards overall. — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026 Her Eras Tour special earned five nominations this year but didn't win any. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026 The wonderful Jeon — unforgettable in the role that earned her the best actress award at Cannes in Lee’s transcendent grief drama, Secret Sunshine — is equally moving as Mi-ok. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026 But perhaps the biggest winner of the night was Bad Bunny, which earned trophies for Variety Special (Live), Directing, Lighting Design, Music Direction, Sound Mixing, Choreography and Technical Direction. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026 Singletary took a pay cut to the minimum salary to stay this offseason, and then earned his spot on the roster. — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Bartko, who earned degrees in civil engineering and law in Belarus, fled her home country on a student visa to avoid political persecution over her vocal opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earned
  1. won
  2. deserved
  3. gained
  4. garnered
  5. reaped
  6. obtained
  7. made
  8. got
Verb
  • The Big Ten has won the last three national titles via three different teams (Indiana, Michigan and Ohio State).
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The United States won 94-61, with Caitlin Clark recording a double-double in her senior international debut with 14 points and 11 assists in 25 minutes off the bench.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of won
Verb
  • The result has captivated critics and audiences — and affirmed that the film deserved to see the light of day, after coming very close to disappearing into oblivion.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The fans deserved a Dolly Parton tribute Dolly Parton's presence was felt in Cincinnati on Thursday.
    — David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of deserved
Verb
  • The anti-migration and Russia-friendly Alternative for Germany, or AfD, fell just short of a majority in Sunday’s vote in Saxony-Anhalt, a small eastern state that gained outsized prominence as AfD eyed power there.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The effort has been working, but the need for such a massive, taxing and expensive operation proves how much influence Iran has gained over the Strait of Hormuz.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of gained
Verb
  • The collective added that its initial open letter – early signatories of which included Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, Nobel Prize-winning writer Annie Ernaux and directors Matteo Garrone and Isabel Coixet – had since garnered 1,000 signatures.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Academy graduate Ollie Scarles garnered some interest towards the end of the window.
    — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of garnered
Verb
  • The company reaped about $900 million with its initial public offering.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But the programs that have stuck to the Southland have reaped the benefits.
    — Gregory Ellwood, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of reaped
Verb
  • When reached for comment on LeVota’s letter, which The Star obtained this week, Garza’s attorney Brianne Thomas called it an act of retaliation and provided a copy of Garza’s complaint to The Star.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Through an open records request, the Star-Telegram obtained copies of text messages and emails concerning discussions between the two cities about the data center development.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of obtained
Verb
  • Only 15 pieces will be made worldwide, with no restock planned.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The findings of the report demonstrate the shifts made by the brands that are capturing value from circularity rather than just complying.
    — Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of made
Verb
  • The rationale being that Frank Lampard got his tactics spot on at the Etihad and on another day – a day when Coventry were more decisive in front of goal – their head coach would have been celebrating an unlikely result.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The Niners left California last Wednesday, arrived in Australia on Friday and were set for their first practice of game week on Monday at AAMI Park in Melbourne feeling mostly refreshed after players got a day to explore the city.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of got

Browse Nearby Words

earn
earned
earnest
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Cite this Entry

“Earned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earned. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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