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
Examples Sentences
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 attain
Democrats need just one more seat in the Washington state Senate and another in the state House to attain supermajorities that would give them even more power in Olympia.
—
Melissa Santos, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024
The program will attain full accreditation status if these studies are approved by the accrediting body and survey visits confirm the program complies with set standards.
—Gael Langdon, arkansasonline.com, 29 Oct. 2024
Panned by critics upon its release, the film would eventually attain cult status, exceeding expectations at the box office and further proliferating upon its home video release.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2024
Triggering events are attaining age 59½, leaving the employer’s service, or death.
—Bob Carlson, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for attain 
Melissa Santos, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024
The program will attain full accreditation status if these studies are approved by the accrediting body and survey visits confirm the program complies with set standards.
—Gael Langdon, arkansasonline.com, 29 Oct. 2024
Panned by critics upon its release, the film would eventually attain cult status, exceeding expectations at the box office and further proliferating upon its home video release.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2024
Triggering events are attaining age 59½, leaving the employer’s service, or death.
—Bob Carlson, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for attain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attain
Verb
-
The company has not yet achieved sufficient funding to develop or acquire a new business line.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
-
The announcement reinforces the closeness Musk has managed to achieve with Trump, even after the election.David Ingram, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Just about all of the Chiefs’ 300 offensive yards were earned.Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
-
Since signing a five-year extension worth a maximum of $170 million before the 2023 season, Bosa earns a salary of $1.125 million this season, or $62,500 per week spread out over 18 weeks.Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
All of them stand a chance to win — as long as voters don’t give Metallica their eighth trophy instead.Justin Curto, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
-
Expand After an ebullient August Democratic convention, the campaign that Trump had been winning against President Joe Biden seemed to shift in her favor.Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
With each passing month, buyers are gaining the upper hand as the inventory of unsold listings grows.Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
-
Democrats are grieving and searching for answers after an election that saw their nemesis reclaim the presidency while his fellow Republicans gained control of the Senate and may hold the House as well.Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Contracts and Musk Regardless of who wins the White House, Musk’s SpaceX is expected to continue reaping billions of dollars a year in government contracts including with the Defense Department and NASA.David Ingram, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Safe & Smart Florida, which is the political action committee that is supporting Amendment 3, has reaped just over $100 million in campaign contributions, as of Sept. 20, according to the state’s campaign finance database.Zack Huffman, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
The company may need to consider strategic alternatives if additional capital is not obtained.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024
-
According to training videos obtained by The Guardian, the forms are often prefilled with the information of a different person, a proxy who would file the challenge.Caroline Haskins, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
His work garnered him a few nicknames, more followers and a nice pay bump.Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2024
-
The measures regarding strengthening rent control protections and charter cleanup items garnered more support from voters, according to early results.Destiny Torres, Orange County Register, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Does Jeanty make that leaping catch on fourth-and-8? Watch the first quarter of Buffs-Utes one more time.Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
-
Elliott has yet to make a field goal from over 50 yards this season.Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
Articles Related to attain
Thesaurus Entries Near attain
Cite this Entry
“Attain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attain. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share