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 He is also accused of obtaining a leadership position in the Hampton Bays American Legion and stealing more than $81,000 from the organization. — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026 After obtaining search warrants, authorities seized about 27 items, including slides, film negatives and books, from the first unit. — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026 These included methods for placing objects inside kernel memory caches, improving exploit reliability and obtaining privilege escalation through data-only attacks. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026 Whorrall was an American entomology student close to obtaining his PhD from the University of Auckland, according to The New Zealand Herald. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2026 Anthropic says reducing its reliance on partners to pay for future facilities and equipment depends in part on obtaining financing from independent sources on its own credit. — Wen Shao, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026 Of course, obtaining a presidential jet from Qatar was a pretty big stunt in and of itself. — Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 4 Nov. 2026 The copilot was identified as 20-year-old Natalia Gadelha Filgueiras, an aspiring airline pilot who earned her wings before obtaining her driver's license, according to a report. — Stephen Sorace , Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026 The process for obtaining revocable consent currently involves filing a petition with the Department of Transportation, which then must hold a public hearing. — Digital Producer, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtaining

Verb

But if earning the breathless endorsement of the definitive pop star of our generation, Taylor Swift, is a precursor to making it into that pantheon, the twenty-one-year-old singer-songwriter sombr is well on his way.

— Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2026
As a result, someone earning significantly above the cap does not continue paying Social Security payroll taxes on wages beyond the annual threshold.

— Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of earning

Verb

For foreign intelligence services, gaining visibility into Nvidia’s hardware roadmap, advanced packaging methods, or executive decision-making would represent a major strategic breakthrough.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2026
Penn State's offense dominated third downs early, gaining an average of 17 yards on their six first-half third downs and finishing 7-for-14 on third down and 2-for-3 on fourth down.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of gaining

Verb

Five takeaways from the Miami Heat’s 115-109 win over the Utah Jazz (1-10) on Tuesday night at Delta Center to clinch a winning 3-2 five-game West Coast trip.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026
Going forward, Budd’s race will be one of the most expensive in 2028 and will be a test of whether Democrats can expand their foothold in the South after winning seats in South Carolina and possibly Mississippi.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of winning

Verb

Approach the Buck, Not the Doe In a lockdown scenario, your biggest threat of getting busted while reaping is always the doe.

— Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 10 Nov. 2026
The County of Ventura 2025 Crop and Livestock Report shows strawberries as the county’s leading agricultural commodity, with growers reaping $808 million in wholesale revenue.

— Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of reaping

Verb

The goal is to create an individual arrangement that provides support without making assumptions or singling the person out.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 Nov. 2026
Fahey said the appeal reflects a broader shift in Democratic messaging, away from making Trump the central issue and toward challenging him to deliver on his own economic promises.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of making

Verb

Since taking office, Newsom has appeared at several annual Climate Week events in New York and used his speaking opportunities to blast Trump in traditionally apolitical forums, often garnering international applause.

— Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
The refined, quill-like golden flowers of 2- to 3-foot-tall ‘Little Henry’ and 4- to 5-foot-tall ‘Henry Eilers’ are top performers in the Test Garden, garnering a lot of comments from guests.

— Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of garnering

Verb

The administration says longstanding federal policy of getting people into permanent housing first, then offering voluntary treatment, has failed, and is to blame for the pandemic spike in homelessness.

— Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 8 Nov. 2026
People may have been getting high off cannabis earlier than previously thought -- at least 2,800 years ago, a new study suggests.

— Mary Evans, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of getting

Verb

Escapes interceptor, greater range During the initial testing in May 2019, the missile had a range of 150-260 miles (240-420 kilometers), attaining a maximum height on the ballistic trajectory of 30-37 miles (50-60 km).

— Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
Beyond attaining eternal beloved status by Cubs fans for finally bringing a World Series title back to the North Side, their run to immortality had a profound impact on multiple levels.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 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 15 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of obtaining

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