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 According to the arrest affidavit police obtained a search warrant and found a glass jar, aluminum powder, black iron oxide and a pipe that was empty at the time. — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 The conventional seed sector is dominated by hybrid and GMO cotton varieties, making certified organic and non-GMO seed scarce and difficult to obtain. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 The impact varies, but bankruptcy doesn't prevent you from obtaining credit forever. — Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 Search warrants have also been obtained to gain access to the devices and extract data, according to the source. — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 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
  • The 54-year-old, who reportedly earned a $16 million salary in 2025, launched his own YouTube channel last week, showing off the sprawling virtual city.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • But the respect the band had earned from the country firmament felt, at best, grudging.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of earn
Verb
  • Whether lawmakers accept those limits will help determine how much authority the federal government gains over advanced AI systems.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • North Korean engineers have learned from time spent working in Russia’s massive Yelabuga drone factory, and North Korean forces fighting alongside Russia have gained firsthand experience in integrating drones into modern combat.
    — Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of gain
Verb
  • The production won the Tony Award for special theatrical event.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Soon, Senior is the new leader of his son’s gang, winning hearts and minds with ’Nam stories and chummy nicknames.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of win
Verb
  • Those who embrace new technologies are best placed to shape them and reap their benefits.
    — Ali Kashani, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The United States could reap crucial benefits from sharing foreign trade secrets with select tech firms.
    — DAVID S. COHEN, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of reap
Verb
  • Floated earlier this year, a separate bid to have political appointees—rather than independent expert panels—decide grant recipients garnered significant backlash.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The goals and guardrails came forward after district leaders hosted more than 40 community listening sessions in recent months to garner feedback from families, teachers and other stakeholders.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of garner
Verb
  • White said Salvation Brands is not to be confused with the big brand management firms such as Authentic Brands Group and WHP Global, which are getting all the attention these days.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Waddhwa moved to strike a film development deal around the incident after getting unsolicited inquiries from Indian media firms.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of get
Verb
  • The producer made some pointed observations about the state of independent cinema.
    — Lise Pedersen, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The acquisition of 100 percent of ZO Skin Health will be made in an all-cash transaction and funded through cash reserves and bank financing.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of make
Verb
  • Governments can offer incentives like subsidized education and tax incentives for retraining for individuals and tax breaks for companies that help workers attain new skills and credentials.
    — Eric Kutcher, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Claudia, often understood as the avatar for Michele, is the child vampire Louis had to love, lose, and grieve for Rice to attain any kind of catharsis.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 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 Oct. 2026.

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