OBTAINS Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

obtains

verb

present tense third-person singular of obtain

as in earns

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 obtains Caltrans spokesperson Eric Menjivar said in an email Tuesday that at least some of the repairs are on hold as the agency obtains supplemental funding through an internal review process to finish the repairs. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 Pacioni said the warrant was of a type — a Ramey warrant — that a law enforcement agency obtains through a court without review or approval by the district attorney’s office. — Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2026 This adds another barrier if someone obtains your Apple Account password. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 And even if the creditor sues you and obtains a judgment, the federal protections covering the account can create a barrier between that creditor and the retirement funds still held in the plan. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 The three Bucky Dent pools remain closed while the city addresses the violations and obtains the approvals required to reopen. — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026 After three years, AVILOO had created a data collection device and a certificate the user obtains at the end of the process to guarantee the battery state of health. — James Morris, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 The state obtains the money by selling bonds to investors and agrees to repay it, with interest, per a specified schedule. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026 Instead of cumbersome stakes and poles, the tent obtains its shape with just air. — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtains

Verb

On an 8-yard run a bit earlier, Willis deftly escaped being tackled 1 yard short on a third-and-5, displaying the type of second effort that earns respect from everyone.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
Beyond that, its balance of top-tier audio and easily good-enough image quality and brightness for the price earns the P1 our Editors' Choice award for a 1080p room-to-room portable.

— M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of earns

Verb

When customers can see their own input shaping the brand in real time, the company reaps the benefit.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Opponents also rallied around the fact that Iceland already reaps benefits from being in the EU’s frictionless single market and the Schengen free-travel zone without the sovereignty compromises that come with full membership.

— Kwiyeon Ha, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of reaps

Verb

The work ahead is to continue delivering strong results for our Country and communicating to the American people the major wins that this Administration is making every single day.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
No matter which candidate wins in November, the City Council will have fewer than three Black members for the first time in 63 years.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of wins

Verb

All the while, #witchtok garners millions of posts, and there’s no shortage of flash sales for love spells – or curses.

— Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
Cook followed in Jobs' footsteps, taking the stage for every major Apple product launch, which garners headlines and millions of viewers around the world.

— Kif Leswing, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of garners

Verb

In wave election years, as this year is expected to be, the party that gains seats in Congress often had more competitive primaries, a consequence of the increase in candidates seeking nomination and the enthusiasm of voters.

— Robert Boatright, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
That equipment must also keep pace as the aircraft gains new capabilities.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of gains

Verb

Not everyone gets a godparent like Charlie, Lou, Sheldon, or Janice.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
The lounge When leaving through JFK’s Terminal 7, Condor Business Class gets you access to the Horizons Lounge which is perfectly nice with a small spread of complimentary hot food and a full bar.

— Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of gets

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obtainments

obtains

obtrude

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“Obtains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obtains. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of obtains

verb

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