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
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Recent Examples of earning
MacKinnon played in all six games for Canada at the Olympics in Milan, earning a silver medal after the United States won the final, 2-1, in overtime in an instant classic.
—
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 26 Feb. 2026
Affordable housing bill loosens income limits This year’s draft requires average rents to be affordable to residents earning the 60% area median income.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
Offered new plans with less lucrative terms, cardholders who’d grown used to earning generous points and a sweet deal took to Reddit to complain vociferously about Bilt.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
From seventh-grade teacher coaching five sports and earning $3,200 to coaching five NBA franchises over 25 seasons and scaling the sport’s mountaintop.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
Stephanie Link Hightower Advisors While the transfer of wealth is one way to narrow the gender investing gap, women are still earning less than men in the workplace.
—CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
Drici previously worked in wealth management after earning a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2026
After winning a Golden Globe and earning five Emmy nominations for her performance, Oh ended her 10-season run in 2014.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026
Smith, who moved to South Dakota nearly five years ago after serving as a first responder in California, is earning his MBA in leadership and human resources at Augustana University while volunteering at the Juvenile Detention Center and mentoring with Lutheran Social Services.
—Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 19 Feb. 2026
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 26 Feb. 2026
Affordable housing bill loosens income limits This year’s draft requires average rents to be affordable to residents earning the 60% area median income.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
Offered new plans with less lucrative terms, cardholders who’d grown used to earning generous points and a sweet deal took to Reddit to complain vociferously about Bilt.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
From seventh-grade teacher coaching five sports and earning $3,200 to coaching five NBA franchises over 25 seasons and scaling the sport’s mountaintop.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
Stephanie Link Hightower Advisors While the transfer of wealth is one way to narrow the gender investing gap, women are still earning less than men in the workplace.
—CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
Drici previously worked in wealth management after earning a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2026
After winning a Golden Globe and earning five Emmy nominations for her performance, Oh ended her 10-season run in 2014.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026
Smith, who moved to South Dakota nearly five years ago after serving as a first responder in California, is earning his MBA in leadership and human resources at Augustana University while volunteering at the Juvenile Detention Center and mentoring with Lutheran Social Services.
—Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earning
Verb
-
For San Diego State, winning the Mountain West women’s swimming and diving championship last week was a perfect way to say farewell to the conference.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
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For a kid from Riverside, if that game-winning layup was his dream shot, his performance against the rival Trojans was his dream night.—
Aaron Heisen,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The protagonists are good, hot men, deserving of the love that comes their way.—
E. Alex Jung,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Religious liberty is one of America’s foundational principles, deserving thoughtful, serious stewardship.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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African Americans make up about 7% of players — still underrepresented, but gaining ground in a game that hasn't always shared the court.—
Itay Hod,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Pakistan and neighboring India, both nuclear armed powers, have periodically engaged in wars, clashes and skirmishes since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1947.—
Munir Ahmed,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Longhorns didn’t receive -a first-place vote for the first time this season while garnering 716 total points.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Feb. 2026
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But Jackson came in a strong second, garnering almost thirty per cent of the votes and more than a thousand delegates.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Spending at least 120 minutes a week outside, according to research, seems to be a threshold for reaping these wellbeing benefits.—
Emma Loewe,
Outside,
26 Feb. 2026
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Morgan Stanley cites evidence that corporate America is already reaping tangible rewards from AI adoption.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In June, his twin sons transferred to his alma mater from a Detroit prep school with hopes of making their papa proud and lifting the town’s spirit.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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But, since staying cozy is key for making it through long travel days, the Trendy Queen 2-piece Matching Lounge Set is an excellent alternative that’s more form-fitting without feeling restrictive.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country supports the United States in its effort to stop Iran from obtaining an atomic bomb.—
Claudia Ciobanu,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
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For most, this is beyond expertise, so consulting a Houston truck accident lawyer can assist with resolving the situation or obtaining compensation.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Being in my late 50s, getting cosmetic treatments to tackle sagginess, wrinkles, fine lines, and a dull complexion has certainly crossed my mind.—
Cathy Nelson,
InStyle,
27 Feb. 2026
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French figure skater Lorine Schild is getting two French braids pulled back into a low bun.—
Katie Gunderman,
SELF,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Earning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earning. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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