attain

verb

ə-ˈtān How to pronounce attain (audio)
Definition of attainnext
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

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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

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 That show, launched in 2020, attained a cult following — it was named Best Podcasts of the Year by outlets like Vogue, Esquire and Cosmopolitan. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026 Such a regime could attain its ends by making only a small number of opponents suffer physically while leaving the rest in psychological torment, wondering if or when the blow will fall. — Mark Lilla, The New York Review of Books, 29 Sep. 2026 Rabies in humans is completely preventable but medical help must be attained right away, according to the CDC. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026 However, those milestones won’t be attained in a Mets uniform. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attain
  1. achieve
  2. earn
  3. win
  4. gain
  5. reap
  6. obtain
  7. garner
  8. make
Verb
  • More than 180,000 giant tortoises roaming freely on our atoll is proof of what long-term commitment to conservation can achieve.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, women used toxic lead makeup to achieve what was viewed as a beautiful pale complexion.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of achieve
Verb
  • The 54-year-old, who reportedly earned a $16 million salary in 2025, launched his own YouTube channel last week, showing off the sprawling virtual city.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • But the respect the band had earned from the country firmament felt, at best, grudging.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of earn
Verb
  • Elephants in the Fog competed in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival this year, winning the Jury Prize.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Award-winning chef Kai Mueller has created a large and unusual menu that leans into the location, with a much healthier twist (all dishes that are safe to have on the detox programme are clearly marked).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of win
Verb
  • Costco is also gaining traction with younger shoppers, an important source of future loyalty and lifetime value.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
  • West Coast gateways gained share, while several East and Gulf Coast ports recorded declines.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of gain
Verb
  • Those who embrace new technologies are best placed to shape them and reap their benefits.
    — Ali Kashani, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The United States could reap crucial benefits from sharing foreign trade secrets with select tech firms.
    — DAVID S. COHEN, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of reap
Verb
  • Sheriff’s officials said the detectives later identified Morales Garcia, Farfan Ambriz and Medina as suspects in the homicide and obtained arrest warrants for them.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Twelve days later, Amazon blocked Muse from shopping on its site, arguing that third-party agents should identify themselves and obtain a retailer’s permission before transacting on behalf of its customers.
    — Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of obtain
Verb
  • Eisenberg’s film garnered considerable laughs — and applause — from the theater-going crowd at its starry NYFF screening that saw Eisenberg, the cast, producer Emma Stone and even Claire Danes in attendance.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The petition had garnered more than 12,000 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon.
    — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of garner
Verb
  • The tiered floor plans inside the third-floor suites and villas make those rooms less accessible.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The four-door grand tourer makes more than 1,000 hp from three motors, two at the rear and one up front.
    — Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of make

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attacks
attain
attainability
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Cite this Entry

“Attain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attain. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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