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 Investigators obtained a residential search warrant on July 22. — Ana Maria Soler, Miami Herald, 26 July 2026 Gilson had on June 10 obtained an emergency protective order against Duffey, a youth basketball coach, on police advice. — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026 The caller, according to a recording of police radio transmissions obtained by WLS, said a neighbor was shot on a porch along with a woman. — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 26 July 2026 According to investigators, authorities believe a 32-year-old woman who died from an overdose had used drugs that were obtained from Muniz. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 July 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
  • Elsewhere, Thekla defends the AEW Women's World Championship against Willow Nightingale, who earned the opportunity by winning a Casino Gauntlet match.
    — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • Langkraehr earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Missouri, according to his Linkedin profile.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
Definition of earn
Verb
  • Her office told me the bill essentially unlocks federal funds to help more neighborhoods gain protection from noise pollution.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 26 July 2026
  • Related movements like slowmaxxing, which encourages a deliberate slowing of routines and meals, have gained traction as a response to productivity culture.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of gain
Verb
  • Seoul — The AI gold rush is minting new fortunes, but the ex-wife of one of South Korea’s biggest tech titans has failed to win a greater share of his wealth as his company’s stock price has soared.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • In a career that ended in 2023, Harvick won 60 NASCAR Cup Series races, including the 2007 Daytona 500, three wins in the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2003, 2019, and 2020, and the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Championship.
    — Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
Definition of win
Verb
  • The already rich reap the most, though the thin spreading of payments means the payouts are relatively miserly for the game’s elite.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Long-term value will be reaped by whomever controls the environments where AI operates rather than the models themselves.
    — Francis Sideco, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of reap
Verb
  • Reid essentially rose to cult status in the Twin Cities as an undrafted free agent, playing a prominent role in helping the Timberwolves reach the Western Conference Finals and garnering the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year honors.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
  • The chain, known for its no-talking, no-texting policy, recently introduced a new mobile ordering service to replace the traditional mode of pen-and-paper at the hands of servers, which has garnered criticism from some movie theater purists.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 22 July 2026
Definition of garner
Verb
  • When Marshall showed up, Reyes and Chamberlain both fired guns at Marshall as Marshall tried to get away, according to the affidavit.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
  • The idea is that the more of the filter feeders cling to the seawall, the cleaner the canal gets.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Definition of get
Verb
  • Purchases allegedly made by Burke under aliases also included cadaver bags, heavy-duty laundry bags, chain saws, a shovel and a fireproof mat, Byers testified.
    — Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 22 July 2026
  • At least eight more games will be added to Sunderland’s calendar when UEFA’s draw is made in Nyon on August 28.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of make
Verb
  • In Buddhism, bodhicitta is, essentially, a desire to attain enlightenment in order to free all beings from suffering.
    — Goth Shakira, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
  • The Pentagon’s campaign of air strikes on Iranian targets, which is expanding again after weeks of a shaky cease-fire, has not put an end to Iran’s nuclear stockpiles or know-how, and has probably hardened its leaders’ resolve to attain a bomb.
    — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 22 July 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 29 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of obtain for Spanish Speakers

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