obtain

verb

əb-ˈtān How to pronounce obtain (audio)
Definition of obtainnext
as in to earn
to receive as return for effort after years of proving herself, she obtained recognition as a serious journalist

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 obtain Detectives are working to obtain search warrants and conduct canvasses and interviews, according to the East Windsor Police Department. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026 Unlike its rival bidder, fellow US investment firm Castlelake, Apollo has at least obtained the royal consent of Haji-Ioannou, whose backing of the bid was vital to its success, said Ali Lyon in City AM. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 16 Aug. 2026 Existing regulations already provide that obtaining a visitor visa primarily to give birth in the United States to secure citizenship for a child is not legitimate B-visa tourism. — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026 Surveillance footage obtained by CBS News Miami appears to show the three female suspects enter the store on Wednesday to casually look at clothes. — Ted Scouten, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obtain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtain
  1. earn
  2. gain
  3. win
  4. reap
  5. garner
  6. get
  7. make
  8. attain
Verb
  • Buffalo’s synthetic turf earned an F grade from Bills players in the NFLPA’s annual report card last year.
    — Tim Graham, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Backstage, Tommaso Ciampa says this year’s Casino Gauntlet has the biggest stakes since the winner earns a chance at the AEW World Championship.
    — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of earn
Verb
  • As the perfumery acknowledges, these collaborations allow the brand to gain exposure in other creative spheres while also creating a product that is reflective of both specialties.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
  • During last week’s earnings call, FanDuel’s parent company, Flutter, noted its prediction market platform can gain customers faster in states where sportsbooks are still under scrutiny.
    — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of gain
Verb
  • In the last few years, Penn State’s singular focus – to win a national championship – clouded everything else.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The club was rebuilding after the 1958 Munich air disaster but won a first post-Munich trophy, the FA Cup, earlier that year.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of win
Verb
  • Los Angeles gave up three promising prospects for what might be a short-term rental of the 29-year-old Skubal, who will likely reap the benefits of free agency this winter.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Unsurprisingly, firms reaping profits from the AI boom steal the show.
    — Naazneen Karmali, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of reap
Verb
  • The men’s World Cup showed that brands do not need to spend millions of dollars on becoming an official partner to garner attention.
    — Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Lindell garnered national attention in the aftermath of the 2020 election as a prominent election denier.
    — Connor Greene, Time, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of garner
Verb
  • Instead, in their wake, the league veered far in the other direction, taking the finesse out of the game and turning on-court play into a street fight, with officials unable or unwilling to get their arms round the physicality.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The Bears haven’t ruled out the possibility of getting Trapilo at least some reps during training camp this month to test him out and rebuild his confidence in padded practices.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of get
Verb
  • Heavy deposits could collapse roofs, contaminate water, damage machinery, bury crops, disrupt power networks, and make roads difficult to use.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Howard said that the cuts are designed to help the organization make its operations break even.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of make
Verb
  • The goal needing to be attained was being a Jew, a citizen, and a German all at the same time.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
  • What came to me was a simple but valuable intuition that healing is not about attaining the grace of God, but about the loving freedom that comes from reflecting God!
    — Dilshad Khambatta Eames, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of attain

Browse Nearby Words

obstructs
obtain
obtainability
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Cite this Entry

“Obtain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obtain. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of obtain for Spanish Speakers

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