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

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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 family’s story is mostly told from the perspective of Barb, the youngest sibling, who pushes for answers but puts off obtaining her own genetic test results. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026 Bell is the latest celebrity to speak out about troubles obtaining SAG-AFTRA health insurance. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 That distinction emerged in a separate Miami case involving Tania Rosa Rodriguez, a Cuban American woman convicted by a federal jury of fraudulently obtaining citizenship after failing to disclose her participation in a Medicare fraud conspiracy. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026 The breach, first discovered in late September, was carried out by the cyber group ShinyHunters and targeted the FBI's job website, obtaining thousands of personnel records of its employees, according to the bureau. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 Iran, of course, could force the American military out of its neighborhood without obtaining economic relief. — Narges Bajoghli, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026 Horvath cited recent Los Angeles Times reporting on the challenges victims face when obtaining and enforcing restraining orders as an inspiration for the Board of Supervisors motion, which was co-authored by board chair Hilda Solis. — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 Police arrested Ballard on Sunday in Okinawa City after obtaining surveillance footage of him entering the hotel with Yagi and leaving alone with what appeared to be her bag. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 7 Oct. 2026 One limitation of obtaining court orders against counterfeiters is the difficulty of enforcing them in foreign jurisdictions. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtaining

Verb

Thursday’s result, a 6-4 Brewers victory in Game 4, ended the Dodgers’ hopes of earning dynasty status.

— Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
Michael Flynn was 28 and working towards earning his PHD in theoretical physics when the 30-foot-long dead tree limb fell over 27 feet onto him, fracturing his skull and changing his life forever.

— Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of earning

Verb

Quarterback Reagan Loki of Orange Lutheran came up with some tough running of his own at quarterback, gaining 59 yards.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Separating an investment from a hobby Nonetheless, the investment community is gaining prominence — and making money, a lot of it on trading in TCGs.

— Bob Woods, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of gaining

Verb

The bread-winning Global Banking & Markets division delivered strong results, which was very much behind the relatively positive reaction in the stock.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
The decision backfired, as Rams kicker Harrison Mevis’s 48-yard game-winning field goal attempt was blocked by defensive end Greg Rousseau — much to the relief of Cook.

— Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of winning

Verb

Dogma25 is an initiative of recent Venice Golden Lion winner May el-Toukhy (Woman Unknown), who will be one of the five directors making films under its rules alongside directors Milad Alami, Annika Berg, Eklöf and Just.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
By the time Lee’s moved on to thanking his dad for not believing him, thereby giving him something to prove, an embarrassed Frances is making a quick run for the exit.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of making

Verb

Before playing for Mario Cristobal, the wide receiver attended Tulane for three years, with his productive 2024 season garnering enough attention that landed him a spot at Miami.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
First garnering recognition for his acting on the Disney XD series Lab Rats, Boldman subsequently has gone on to roles in 21 Jump Street, alongside Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, as well as Disney Channel’s Zapped and the film Cruise.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of garnering

Verb

Spirit’s efforts to sell tranches of data to Google for $10 million hit several speed bumps after getting public attention in August.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Eaton, in conjunction with developer Sue Powers’ Urban Ventures, plans to renovate the building and reduce its unit count from 62 to 50, with each unit getting its own bathroom for the first time.

— Thomas Gounley, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of getting

Verb

This older world is often focused on common American ideals of individualism and grit as the primary tools for attaining personal success.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
In other words, what happens when their agreeable or polite approach to attaining something doesn’t work?

— Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of attaining

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obtained

obtaining

obtainment

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“Obtaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obtaining. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of obtaining

verb

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