OBTAINING Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

obtaining

verb

present participle of obtain

as in earning

to receive as return for effort after years of proving herself, she obtained recognition as a serious journalist

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 obtaining The law is aimed at prohibiting children from obtaining books and movies with obscene content. — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026 The extraordinary retraction has once again thrust into the spotlight the city’s audit, which The Star revealed earlier this year after obtaining a copy of the review. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026 Agencies may share that information with other law enforcement agencies for those purposes, and knowingly obtaining or using the data under false pretenses or for another purpose can result in a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026 Haden was raised in San Diego and graduated from University City High before obtaining his bachelor’s degree in political science from Stanford University. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 These individuals may use more marijuana than intended, spend substantial time obtaining or craving it and continue to use it despite physical and psychological problems. — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Langer developed his love for science while studying chemical engineering at Cornell University, later obtaining his doctorate at MIT in 1974. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026 But Watts, who is well-versed in gnosticism — an esoteric, religious philosophy that places emphasis on the spiritual realm and obtaining wisdom about oneself — seemed to have had a profound impact on McCollough’s worldview. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026 After obtaining and reviewing the concession agreement, leaders of La Coordinadora concluded that reducing water rates alone would not address the underlying issue. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtaining

Verb

Some soldiers distinguished themselves by helping to render emergency trauma response and first aid to civilians, earning individual service commendations, according to the Arkansas National Guard.

— Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 29 Aug. 2026
As tuition climbs and federal oversight tightens on low-earning programs, a new tool lets families compare outcomes across California campuses.

— Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of earning

Verb

Ryan Preece finished ninth and kept his Chase hopes alive by gaining 19 points on Shane van Gisbergen, who finished 20th and remains in the 16th and final spot for the 10-race title run.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Experts like Charan Dangeti note retail traders are gaining market influence, especially via zero DTE options.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of gaining

Verb

All the drama from last week’s showdown with the season-21 designers is resolved by season 22 winning the unconventional-materials challenge.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
The screenplay placed second in the horror category at the 2025 Slamdance Screenplay Competition, winning Filmmatic’s Horror/Thriller Screenplay Awards, and selected for the 2026 Grey List.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of winning

Verb

In addition to Broadway, the show has played in nine countries across four continents since making its West End debut in 2019.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
Despite that footprint, the basic cement-making process has changed relatively little since the material was invented in 1824.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of making

Verb

Curtis’ office, and created online petitions denouncing Kurv’s industrial plan, garnering more than 1,000 signatures.

— Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Cunningham has become a conduit for MAGA grievances, and her knack for garnering attention has been a boon for those championing right wing causes.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of garnering

Verb

Striking out on her own was a difficult transition, but embracing her solitude gave her the space to learn more about herself and make her own personal decisions, such as getting her cat or making meals of her choosing.

— Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
The storm dumped more than a foot of rain over parts of the state, with the highest elevations getting more than 40 inches.

— Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of getting

Verb

But the White House cut its offices and weakened its ability to follow up with cases, as well as slashed funding to research on disparities that people of color face in getting diagnosed and attaining resources for disabilities.

— Claire Sibonney, CBS News, 24 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 attaining

Browse Nearby Words

obtained

obtaining

obtainment

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Obtaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obtaining. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of obtaining

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

kith

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes