1
as in achieves
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 earns
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 attains
But if a person seeking status is already wealthy or attains corporate sponsorship, for instance, a viable pathway to citizenship opens up, even if only slightly.
—
Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
Gemini attains a very favorable position almost directly overhead.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Robert surreptitiously attains Alfred’s workbook/diary, where many secrets may exist.
—Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
Gemini attains a very favorable position almost directly overhead.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Robert surreptitiously attains Alfred’s workbook/diary, where many secrets may exist.
—Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attains
Verb
-
It was structured so that the CEO will only cash in if Tesla’s stock soars and the company achieves various operational milestones.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
-
The Carnival achieves 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Everything here earns its spot in my suitcase and helps avoid that last-minute reshuffle at the gate or worse, an unexpected overweight baggage fee.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The sport adaptive air suspension earns its keep here.—
Chris Jackson,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Two of those series wins — in 1980 versus Montreal and in 1968 versus Los Angeles — came when the team was still based in Minnesota.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
1 May 2026
-
If any candidate wins 50%+1 on June 2, that’s the final result.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
However, an artist’s innate defiance reaps the best art.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The mower does the work, and your lawn reaps the benefits.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The episode starts to mirror that classic sitcom’s multi-threaded structure as Marcus’ final-season arc gains traction.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Apr. 2026
-
If a team gains a CFA in an equal or higher percentile bracket, those CFAs offset.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Interacting with an audience is now an essential journalistic value as the engagement garners an audience’s attention.—
Kirstin Pellizzaro,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Still, celebrities have to grapple with the reputational risks of leaning into a technology that garners widespread public distrust.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Federal Judge Richard Leon imposed a preliminary injunction earlier this month that paused above-ground construction until the administration obtains congressional approval.—
Arden Farhi,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Rodriguez is happy to see things coming together as conference play gets into full swing.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attains. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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