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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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 My parents had fallen in love with each other before obtaining divorces. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026 Mobile is obtaining water from an unapproved non-potable water source/hydrant. — Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026 If the purpose of buying a suit were merely obtaining clothing, three fittings would be terrible service. — Anna Van Praagh, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2026 In an interview with Vogue at Cannes, Hoyeon described spending six months preparing for the action sequences, including firearms training, obtaining a stick-shift driving license, and learning stunt-driving techniques. — Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 The Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands became sovereign countries, obtaining membership in the United Nations in September 1991. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026 An Atlanta social media personality with more than 2 million followers across platforms has been federally indicted for allegedly fraudulently obtaining more than $4 million from a federal program that helps feed needy Georgia families. — Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 22 Oct. 2026 The challenges have provided fodder for critics of how Democrats have run the state since obtaining a supermajority in the Legislature in 2018, when Newsom was elected. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 There were individuals accused of fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 pandemic relief loans that prosecutors say helped finance the plot. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtaining

Verb

Perusini started out in the music industry, earning a living licensing songs and making and selling mix CDs in the early aughts.

— HubSpot, HubSpot, 30 Oct. 2026
Presently, in this de jure socialist country that officially condemns capitalism, markets and the imperative of earning hard cash shape people’s daily lives.

— Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of earning

Verb

Falcons sticking to Robinson on first down Thus far, the Falcons have had three first-down plays and have run running back Bijan Robinson on each, gaining a total of 22 yards.

— AJC.com, AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026
The Panthers wound up out gaining Argyle 552 to 480 in total yards with running back Gabriel Bess picking up 160 yards on 19 carries.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of gaining

Verb

Fresh off a red-eye flight after winning his fourth Hugo Award, Scalzi stopped by to chat with us about his newest novel, Monsters of Ohio.

— Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026
Their Tale of Two Cities package for an overnight stay at The Wilder Townhouse, plus an overnight stay in its award-winning sister property, The Montenotte Hotel, in Cork.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of winning

Verb

Even the red carpet is reaping the benefit; just take Carey Mulligan’s pleated silver gown, for instance.

— Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2026
That’s a question worth pondering only if the NBA wants the W’s growth plan to be something more nuanced than putting Caitlin Clark on the floor and reaping ad revenue.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of reaping

Verb

While the bathrooms in most accommodations feature walk-in showers, a few of the upstairs rooms have bathtubs, making those rooms a good choice for families.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
Give the city, the district and potential partners the time to determine whether co-location can work before making a decision that cannot easily be undone.

— Tim Lonergan, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of making

Verb

In the scenic Colorado mountain town, the movie became a word-of-mouth sensation after garnering near-euphoric reviews.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026
That’s more than double the cash Tesla’s been garnering from operations in the last few quarters, meaning that will have a much bigger cash deficit in the final three months of 2026.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of garnering

Verb

Now, Tan-Gillespie is tasked with getting KFC’s American business back on track as the brand faces growing competition paired with more health-conscious and cash-strapped consumers.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Before Rover, success meant getting promotions, landing bigger clients and climbing the corporate ladder.

— Sally Simmons, Contributor, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of getting

Verb

In fact, Anthropic’s widening its strategy for attaining new compute.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026
Devotion to the Amida Buddha is associated with a good death and rebirth in the Pure Land, a domain believed to be conducive to attaining buddhahood and enlightenment.

— Mimi Hanaoka, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of obtaining

verb

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