obtained

verb

past tense of obtain
as in earned
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 obtained In a video obtained by TMZ, a man the outlet identified as Perez is shown taking out a large butcher’s knife from his black sweatshirt pocket. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 Paul’s body was found wrapped in a carpet and covered with a blue tarp on the kitchen floor, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE. — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2026 During that period, he was granted federal work authorization and later obtained a commercial driver's license (CDL) issued by the State of California. — Eric MacK , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026 In footage obtained by TMZ, Perez is seen being escorted away by a production staffer before pulling a large knife from his sweatshirt. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 25 Oct. 2026 The Leon County Sheriff’s Office obtained footage from exterior cameras at the library. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026 Police obtained a search warrant for the van, but did not find the firearm inside. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026 Communications obtained under the state’s public records law — first published by the Animal Welfare Institute and reported on by the Salt Lake Tribune — show Utah officials took pains to protect the farm’s privacy amid the outbreak. — Nat Lash, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2026 The Afghan couple raised her for 18 months, but during that time the Masts also obtained a final adoption order from a Virginia court without notifying them. — Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtained
  1. earned
  2. gained
  3. won
  4. reaped
  5. garnered
  6. made
  7. got
  8. attained
Verb
  • The quarterback Mike Macdonald has earned his paychecks from making quarterbacks uncomfortable.
    — Sam McDowell October 25, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
  • On every floor, display cabinets overflow with magic wands, sparkly hats, silk scarves, handcuffs, dice, Rubik's Cubes, toys, photographs and dozens of trophies earned by students in competitions all over the world.
    — Julie Bourdin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of earned
Verb
  • The Rams amassed over 400 total yards, gained 30-plus first downs, scored five touchdowns, converted 50 percent of their third downs, and committed zero turnovers against the Bills.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Amazon — The e-commerce giant gained more than 1% after Morgan Stanley named it a top pick and raised its price target.
    — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of gained
Verb
  • Meanwhile, national Republicans are attempting to mobilize the state’s conservative voters around Marshall in a state Trump won with 57% of the vote in 2024.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
  • In 2022, Lula summoned his old populist magnetism, built a coalition large enough to defeat Bolsonaro, and won a third term.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of won
Verb
  • The bar then placed a $5,000 bet on Kalshi that the then-underdog Knicks would win, and a $13,500 payout meant the bar not only paid off its patrons’ tabs, but also reaped a $8,500 profit.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Under-21s manager Rob Page, who Wright is enjoying working with, has reaped the benefits of the striker’s excellent form.
    — Andy Jones, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of reaped
Verb
  • The show’s soundtrack also garnered critical acclaim, with many of the covers performed by the cast making the Billboard Hot 100.
    — Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026
  • There has been a long-running legal effort to win a new trial in the case that has garnered national attention and was the subject of a podcast.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of garnered
Verb
  • In the second half, the Charlotte Hornets’ newcomers made their own big impact.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026
  • This is the basic technology that revolutionized US oil a decade ago, and made the country by far the world’s top producer.
    — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of made
Verb
  • After all, many a good cause got its start from a spirit of noblesse oblige.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • As transistors got smaller, the channels between them became proportionally narrower, and aluminum’s performance hit a wall.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of got
Verb
  • The researchers demonstrated the benefit of using different atoms by maintaining quantum entanglement for 10 seconds as against a few milliseconds attained with the same set of atoms.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
  • There is a greater good to be attained and that is the emphasis that will now be placed on the education of our students.
    — Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of attained

Browse Nearby Words

obtainable
obtained
obtaining
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Cite this Entry

“Obtained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obtained. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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