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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obtains
An employer subject to a stop order must pay its employees for up to 10 days for time lost until the employer obtains insurance.
—
Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
Whatever efficiency may be gained from using the tool could easily be undone in the event a threat actor obtains the keys to a network kingdom.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2026
Trump has said his administration's goal is to ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
That bank levy can materialize with little warning once a creditor obtains a court judgment against you.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
According to Rawls, fair equality of opportunity obtains in a society when all persons with the same native talent (genetic inheritance) and the same degree of ambition have the same prospects for success in all competitions for positions that confer special economic and social advantages.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Mar. 2026
Twin Rivers obtains an annual waiver from the Sacramento County Office of Education to be exempt from this requirement.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 14 Mar. 2026
The village obtains its water from the city of Elgin at a rate of about $100 per 1,000 gallons, Hof said.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
The appeals court’s decision means Haitians with TPS can continue to work and remain protected from deportation unless the government obtains a stay from the Supreme Court or until the case is heard in full in federal court and the Haitian plaintiffs lose their appeal, which could take months.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
Whatever efficiency may be gained from using the tool could easily be undone in the event a threat actor obtains the keys to a network kingdom.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2026
Trump has said his administration's goal is to ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
That bank levy can materialize with little warning once a creditor obtains a court judgment against you.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
According to Rawls, fair equality of opportunity obtains in a society when all persons with the same native talent (genetic inheritance) and the same degree of ambition have the same prospects for success in all competitions for positions that confer special economic and social advantages.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Mar. 2026
Twin Rivers obtains an annual waiver from the Sacramento County Office of Education to be exempt from this requirement.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 14 Mar. 2026
The village obtains its water from the city of Elgin at a rate of about $100 per 1,000 gallons, Hof said.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
The appeals court’s decision means Haitians with TPS can continue to work and remain protected from deportation unless the government obtains a stay from the Supreme Court or until the case is heard in full in federal court and the Haitian plaintiffs lose their appeal, which could take months.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtains
Verb
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Carmona brings tenacity, experience and the kind of calm, functional play style that earns camp opportunities.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
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The winner of this matchup earns the seventh playoff seed.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The mower does the work, and your lawn reaps the benefits.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2026
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Perhaps some enterprising Democrat or Republican will come along who exhibits more faith in our constitutional system, governs with the foresight that there are more elections to come than just the next one — and reaps the benefits.—
David M. Drucker,
Twin Cities,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Our goal is to fix that by making sure every team wins at least one award this season, no matter how esoteric.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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If Hall wins the election against Morgan, who is vying for his fourth term in office, then a special election would be held, Bustilloz said.—
Claire Osborn,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The cool-girl pair garners plenty of praise, and the kicker?—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
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That doesn’t factor in the attention Cade Cunningham garners from defenders, which should generate open looks for Huerter.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With just one bolster or lumbar pillow in a standout textile—such as linen or velvet, for instance—the bed gains a striking focal point.—
Marisa Suzanne Martin,
The Spruce,
5 Apr. 2026
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That's why using strong antivirus software with real-time protection can help detect suspicious behavior that may emerge after an attacker gains control of a device.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Who's responsible when AI gets it wrong?—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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As her mother, Linda Emond's Susan gets only a few moments to shine — and milks every single one for all its worth, doling out wince-worthy advice rooted in real (if outdated) wisdom, as many mothers do.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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While this makes alliums great companions for most vegetables and herbs, asparagus and alliums just don’t mix.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2026
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But don’t dismantle the machinery that makes America First actually work.—
Kelly Sloan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Victor, meanwhile, acquires mastery over pain — the power to give it and take it away on command.—
Entertainment Weekly,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Apr. 2026
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Though Vega said Vista has until June 15, 2028, to pay the 2024 taxes — interest accumulates at 12% per year — if FNA acquires the property for unpaid taxes, the county’s tax lien is eliminated.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obtains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obtains. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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