1
as in to achieve
to obtain (as a goal) through effort
Napoléon had attained mastery of much of Europe at that point
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to earn
to receive as return for effort
with hard work she will inevitably attain success in her chosen profession
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of attain
But a big chunk of those bonuses can be difficult to attain in Year 1 for players.
—
James Mirtle, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Success will be determined around that goal — either attaining it or at minimum, looking like a real threat to do so.
—Varun Shankar, Houston Chronicle, 4 May 2026
Her determination to win the spirit's praise and to attain his immense gifts motivates her to achieve the ultimate dominant position.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
Granted, his policy regarding Iran not attaining a nuclear weapon is a good one.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for attain
James Mirtle, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Success will be determined around that goal — either attaining it or at minimum, looking like a real threat to do so.
—Varun Shankar, Houston Chronicle, 4 May 2026
Her determination to win the spirit's praise and to attain his immense gifts motivates her to achieve the ultimate dominant position.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
Granted, his policy regarding Iran not attaining a nuclear weapon is a good one.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for attain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attain
Verb
-
The telling is harrowing, but also humorous at times, and achieves an emotional register that had me, essentially, transfixed.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
If Pan American Airways represented, at its height, victory and suavity, the country achieving a kind of European state of grace, then Spirit was the exact opposite—synonymous with the rowdy and the rude at the heart of the American character.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
The goal also counted an assist for Rooney, who earned her first ever point in the PWHL.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
-
Blanco, meanwhile, also earned the pitching victory, striking out three and giving up four hits in three innings.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
In a rematch of last year’s championship, Jefferson defeated Oconee County 4-3 on penalty kicks to win the girls 3A state title Tuesday at Duluth High School.—
Sarah Spencer,
AJC.com,
13 May 2026
-
The greatest clutch player in the history of the sport did it again, scoring the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory to end the Frost’s dynasty run, and pushing Montreal to the first PWHL Walter Cup Finals in team history.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
One approach gaining support is to slow the displacement of workers with new taxes on AI services and investments.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
The labor market gained 38,000 courier and messenger jobs in April, representing roughly a third of all positions added in the month.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
As the sun and Jupiter harmonize, reap the rewards.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
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That also means existing properties are reaping the rewards.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
The Deportation Data Project, which was founded by a political scientist and two lawyers, has successfully obtained immigration enforcement data through the Freedom of Information Act, enabling researchers like East to crunch it.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
12 May 2026
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See below for the full internal memo sent from Amazon MGM Studios leadership to staff regarding Scharf’s exit, which was obtained by Variety, below.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Colorado got on the board via a power play goal later in the second, garnering some controversy.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2026
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The article pointed out that many of her colleagues are multi-millionaires, and her anti-capitalist view that has garnered attention could show faults in her philosophy.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
9 May 2026
Verb
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The first-stage booster is making its sixth trip to space and will attempt a recovery landing at Landing Zone 40 adjacent the launch pad.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
-
Battista, who has been back for a week, is making an immediate impact.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attain. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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