1
as in winning
to receive as return for effort
during my teen years I earned pocket money by mowing lawns
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deserving
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 earning
Money market accounts have variable interest rates that will change based on market conditions, making long-term interest-earning projections difficult to complete with precision.
—
Matt Richardson, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
The pic bowed at last year’s Toronto Film Festival, earning strong reviews for Greengrass and its star Matthew McConaughey.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
Individuals making less than $200,000 per year would receive $200 and couples earning shy of $400,000 would get $400.
—Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
Both records are considered among the greatest rap albums of all time, earning platinum certifications from the RIAA.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
Tracy McGrady dominated the ranks of traditional five-on-five basketball in his 15-year NBA career, earning seven All-Star selections and enshrinement in the sport’s Hall of Fame.
—Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026
On the field, the Dominican Republic won 7-5, with Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara earning the win.
—Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
One of his favorite experiences in scouting was earning the climbing merit badge, Frels said.
—Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
The only states earning A’s in the center’s assessment report were states that haven’t made online betting legal.
—Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Matt Richardson, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
The pic bowed at last year’s Toronto Film Festival, earning strong reviews for Greengrass and its star Matthew McConaughey.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
Individuals making less than $200,000 per year would receive $200 and couples earning shy of $400,000 would get $400.
—Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
Both records are considered among the greatest rap albums of all time, earning platinum certifications from the RIAA.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
Tracy McGrady dominated the ranks of traditional five-on-five basketball in his 15-year NBA career, earning seven All-Star selections and enshrinement in the sport’s Hall of Fame.
—Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026
On the field, the Dominican Republic won 7-5, with Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara earning the win.
—Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
One of his favorite experiences in scouting was earning the climbing merit badge, Frels said.
—Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
The only states earning A’s in the center’s assessment report were states that haven’t made online betting legal.
—Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earning
Verb
-
Combined with 66 high school recruits signed during the same period, the Aggies have essentially turned over the roster while winning 19 of 26 games.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Bryce Harper then hit a two-run home run to tie the game, setting up the ninth inning for Venezuela’s dramatic win, when Eugenio Suarez hit what would be a game-winning double to drive in Javier Sanoja for a 3-2 lead.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Institute is designed to support emerging equity-deserving filmmakers and screen creatives across British Columbia and Canada.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Around the world, spas are often physically inaccessible, retreats off-limits by design, and practitioners limited in their ability and training to see disabled bodies as deserving of the restoration everyone so desperately needs.—
Sophie Morgan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Beam credited his team’s execution in gaining a split.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Importantly, research in LEO also serves as an essential stepping stone for gaining the knowledge NASA needs to keep its astronauts safe on journeys deeper into the cosmos.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After not receiving any first-place votes in last week’s poll, the Longhorns received seven first-place votes while garnering 737 total points.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The age-old practice of saunas has captured the attention of the wellness zeitgeist, garnering a new generation of followers eager to tap into its benefits.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a few cases, however, productions that already intended to shoot in California — and had been allocated tax credits under the old program — withdrew and reapplied under the new program, reaping a multimillion dollar windfall.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
-
That’s prevented San Diego County’s growers from reaping the benefits of booming appetites for avocados.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
My mom’s team had at least given me a heftier brochure featuring tasteful photographs of lilacs; this one was literally stapled together, with cartoonish drawings like the ones on airplane safety cards that show your aircraft making a pleasant water landing.—
Amanda Peet,
New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Psychological readiness is an important factor in safe return to play and reinjury risk, making gradual exposure through both imagery and real-world practice, along with open discussion and validation of fear, essential parts of recovery.—
Ian McMahan,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The establishment later reopened after obtaining soap and sanitizer and restoring hot water service.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2026
-
After obtaining a search warrant, officers located an adult male dead inside the home.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
He’s known as someone who could raise the tide of an entire defense based on his football IQ and his propensity for getting his teammates properly aligned.—
Joseph Hoyt,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Punishment for operating a poker club illegally Poker clubs have not been legalized by a constitutional amendment or statewide referendum but are generally allowed, according to Zack Fertitta, who helped represent Prime Social in getting its case dismissed.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Earning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earning. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
