1
as in to gather
to gradually increase in
our hopes were raised as the movement gained strength
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Relevance
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2
as in to earn
to receive as return for effort
gained her affections with his boyishly shy manner
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3
as in to recover
to become healthy and strong again after illness or weakness
is steadily gaining after his bout with the flu and will be back on his feet soon
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4
as in to increase
to become greater in size, extent, volume, amount, or number
the new version of the car gained in both width and length compared to the earlier model
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5
as in to achieve
to obtain (as a goal) through effort
vowed to gain control of the company by any means necessary
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6
as in to persuade
to cause (someone) to agree with a belief or course of action by using arguments or earnest request
the radical party was able to gain some supporters with intense recruitment on college campuses
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1
as in increase
something added (as by growth)
attributed her recent weight gain to the medication she was taking
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2
as in profit
the amount of money left when expenses are subtracted from the total amount received
the company posted a substantial fourth-quarter gain, signaling an end to their money-losing ventures
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3
as in revenue
usually gains plural
an increase usually measured in money that comes from labor, business, or property
net gains this year were better than last
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Cite this Entry
“Gain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gain. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.
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