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 The city will collect 5% annual interest on OAC’s future payments, the first of which would be expected five years after closing or when the group obtains formal city approval for its redevelopment plans, whichever comes earlier. — Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 13 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 What that means is that if the debt becomes delinquent and a creditor obtains a judgment, either spouse's wages may be subject to garnishment, depending on state law. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 11 June 2026 These agreements can ensure that the host community obtains certain specified benefits, such as local workforce guarantees or infrastructure development, as a result of the data center project. — Michael Helbing, The Conversation, 11 June 2026 Charges can elevate to a first-degree felony if parents don’t safely secure firearms, which the minor then obtains and uses to cause death or great bodily injury, which is punishable by up to three years, Bala said. — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 24 May 2026 If the wrong party obtains it, trust collapses. — Pravir Malik, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 Insight obtains its services through a national government purchasing cooperative, which uses Flock. — A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtains

Verb

The Republican who earns the most votes in August will face Democrat Amy Diediker in November.

— Zuri Primos July 26, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
The home earns high marks for its landscaping and curb appeal.

— Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026

Definition of earns

Verb

Research and development accounts for an average of just 4% of European countries’ defense budgets, compared to 10% for the United States – which reaps significant economic multiplier effects from that military spending.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
With these words, Nellie sews a field's worth of dramatic tension that the series reaps for seasons to come.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026

Definition of reaps

Verb

Ryan Coogler, fresh off multiple Oscar wins for Sinners, will be back to direct, and Letitia Wright and Winston Duke will return as Shuri and M’Baku respectively.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
No one wins when our state decides that transparency and accountability don’t matter.

— Stephanie Vanos, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026

Definition of wins

Verb

The idea garners rare bipartisan interest, potentially providing AI companies legitimacy and addressing public anxiety about the technology's future impact.

— James Broughel, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
As Wembanyama garners worldwide attention, arriving right at Tatum and Silver’s New York doorstep in a moment that could change the sport, the NBA’s desire to expand hastens.

— Jared Weiss, New York Times, 5 June 2026

Definition of garners

Verb

The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 July 2026
The soul and governance of football are ‌not assets ⁠to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially.

— Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of gains

Verb

But the template—already structured for your business, with the right fields and formulas—gets you to an answer in minutes, not hours.

— Yu Fang, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Washington has won three straight and wants to shore up its playoff position as the season gets toward crunch time.

— Torrey Hart, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of gets

Verb

Harper packed an old outfield glove, indicating his willingness to shift from first base if the team acquires a new slugging first baseman, prioritizing team success over personal preference.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
At the center of the dispute was whether children automatically lose Italian citizenship when an Italian parent acquires a foreign nationality while the children are minors.

— Giada Zampano, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Definition of acquires

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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 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of obtains

verb

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