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
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Recent Examples of earning
One of the most accomplished individuals in Tech’s sports history, Hall coached the Yellow Jackets from 1994 through 2025, earning ACC coach of the year honors five times.
—
Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 19 June 2026
After earning a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from North Carolina State University in 2015, Davis completed a master’s degree in space studies with a concentration in aerospace science from American Military University between 2018 and 2022.
—Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026
Put another way, for every $100 deposited in a traditional account, savers are only earning 38 cents now.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Chen, who went from third-round pick to roster cut to earning a spot on this year’s team, erupted for one of her best games of the season in Golden State’s 91-80 win over the Wings.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
Priscilla Ward is now his full-time manager after earning a communications degree with a focus on videography.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 18 June 2026
Here’s how to be a better leader, earning both employees’ approval and respect.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
And many of Florida’s workers aren’t earning enough to keep pace.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
The two candidates topped a crowded field of gubernatorial hopefuls in the June 2 primary, earning them the opportunity to face-off in the general election.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 19 June 2026
After earning a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from North Carolina State University in 2015, Davis completed a master’s degree in space studies with a concentration in aerospace science from American Military University between 2018 and 2022.
—Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026
Put another way, for every $100 deposited in a traditional account, savers are only earning 38 cents now.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Chen, who went from third-round pick to roster cut to earning a spot on this year’s team, erupted for one of her best games of the season in Golden State’s 91-80 win over the Wings.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
Priscilla Ward is now his full-time manager after earning a communications degree with a focus on videography.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 18 June 2026
Here’s how to be a better leader, earning both employees’ approval and respect.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
And many of Florida’s workers aren’t earning enough to keep pace.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
The two candidates topped a crowded field of gubernatorial hopefuls in the June 2 primary, earning them the opportunity to face-off in the general election.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earning
Verb
-
The New York Knicks winning the NBA Finals was a tremendous accomplishment for the organization and its players, while also bringing a joyous end to the team's long championship drought for fans.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2026
-
Lendeborg, 23, was the Big Ten player of the year and leader of Michigan’s national championship-winning team.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
24 June 2026
Verb
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While box office success is uncertain against competition, it's touted as a cool blockbuster deserving a premium viewing experience.—
Benny Har-Even,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
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Typically, deserving candidates are sure things in one bucket or another.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Supporters portray the Business Improvement District as a fix for years of neglect and crime, while opponents fear gentrification, over-policing and businesses gaining control over public space.—
Alejandra Molina,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
Now your real job is gaining the king’s favor.—
Gautam Mukunda,
Mercury News,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Civil disobedience is usually an effective tool for garnering attention.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
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To arrive at the 2026 cohort, the private art fund invited a diverse group of artists and art world professionals to nominate artists to apply for the award, garnering seventy-five submissions from artists working across a variety of media and disciplines.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Large firms have outsourced labor-intensive work while reaping technology’s huge productivity gains.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
19 June 2026
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An enemy that was hit hard but remains unrelentingly hostile and is now reaping unexpected strategic gains.—
Daniel B. Shapiro,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
Verb
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The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 June 2026
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Thinking of spending or making money?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Despite these obstacles, the Cuban government faces a short window for obtaining results, said Paolo Spadoni, associate professor in the Department of Social Sciences at Augusta University in Georgia.—
Andrea Rodríguez,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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According to Boisvert, the Hartford Police Major Crimes and Crime Scene Divisions responded and assumed the investigation, developing Petitpas as a suspect before obtaining a warrant for his arrest.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Tim Hill plunked pinch-hitter Jacob Gonzalez and Tristan Peters with pitches before getting an out.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
But the Royals produced an avalanche of offense, with every starter getting into the act.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Earning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earning. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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