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 Former part-time students previously told the Connecticut Mirror the loan reduction would likely have prevented them from obtaining degrees. — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026 According to Fraenkel, one of Fundamental’s biggest challenges in developing NEXUS was obtaining the right training data. — Benjamin Skuse, IEEE Spectrum, 9 July 2026 Since Memorial Circle is federal land managed by NPS, the agency has been obtaining permissions for the arch. — Chiara Eisner, NPR, 8 July 2026 No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using this award. — Michael Gold Cfp, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 Some may also be deterred by the need and cost of obtaining easements, subdivisions and other permitting requirements for a sale. — Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 7 July 2026 Alleged privacy breaches include voicemail interception, phone hacking and obtaining personal information through deception. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 7 July 2026 Common tactics include joining multiple fan clubs, buying presale codes on open marketplaces, creating dozens to hundreds of fraudulent accounts to harvest promotional emails and obtaining multiple credit cards eligible for partner presales. — Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026 After obtaining a search warrant for Bradley’s bank account, investigators noticed that his card was used on June 9, after he was reported missing, the affidavit alleges. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtaining

Verb

Kurtz got the starting nod after earning the most votes in a players’ ballot to decide the game’s reserves.

— Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
While ownership families may be part of a franchise’s story, a place on the Cup has traditionally represented those who played a meaningful role in earning the championship.

— Eric Macramalla, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of earning

Verb

Monthly events like their floral arrangement workshop and cocktail classes create a space where people can enjoy an experience while gaining new skills and knowledge.

— Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
The culinary team regularly meets with Longwood Gardens botanists in the Idea Garden, gaining inspiration from the ingredients grown there.

— Don Tse, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of gaining

Verb

And business owners, including Paulo, are reaping the benefits during Canada’s four games.

— Shelby Blackley, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Surging demand for artificial intelligence has pushed many AI and tech stocks higher in recent months, with markets in South Korea, Japan and Taiwan reaping big gains.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Definition of reaping

Verb

What is making physical AI possible is developments in multimodal AI.

— Anjana Susarla, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Mystery illnesses have struck several groups of Grand Canyon rafters who paddled the Colorado River, prompting the National Park Service to investigate whether something in or along the river is making people sick.

— Evan Bush, NBC news, 9 July 2026

Definition of making

Verb

Again, these are creators who are operating like studios, many of them churning out episode after episode and garnering a lot of views.

— Peter White, Deadline, 8 July 2026
Based between Brighton and Porto, the company was founded in 2016 by brothers Mark and Chris Scholes and has subsequently gone from strength-to-strength, expanding into global markets and garnering a dedicated international fanbase.

— Roddy Clarke, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of garnering

Verb

Farmer, who had a right forearm strain, went 2-for-20 with a home run at Columbus while getting reps at catcher.

— Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
Reaching such a stage would be the third World Cup final in succession for France, after getting their hands on the trophy in 2018 and losing to Argentina last time around.

— Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of getting

Verb

In turn, many participants—after getting a taste of our approach—come back to us for more support in hopes of attaining What Works Cities Certification.

— Rochelle Haynes, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
These results indicate that after attaining a maximum value about 2 billion years ago, dark energy may have begun to weaken.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 22 June 2026

Definition of attaining

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obtained

obtaining

obtainment

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Style

“Obtaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obtaining. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of obtaining

verb

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