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 While the telephone and television took decades to reach 100 million users, ChatGPT and TikTok attained that threshold in a matter of months. — Raghupathy Sivakumar, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026 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 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
  • The problem, Snegovaya said, is that achieving military autonomy for Europe and Ukraine is extremely difficult in the short term, and Europe has been slow to develop the necessary capabilities.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, second-unit director Peter Ramsey worked alongside stunt performers, with some creature interactions achieved through surprisingly simple physical stand-ins.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of achieve
Verb
  • The Gators earned the program's first road win at a top-10 opponent since 2012.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • But sitting on vast swaths of land for years and building very little has earned him some criticism.
    — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of earn
Verb
  • The production won the Tony Award for special theatrical event.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Soon, Senior is the new leader of his son’s gang, winning hearts and minds with ’Nam stories and chummy nicknames.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of win
Verb
  • Whether lawmakers accept those limits will help determine how much authority the federal government gains over advanced AI systems.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • North Korean engineers have learned from time spent working in Russia’s massive Yelabuga drone factory, and North Korean forces fighting alongside Russia have gained firsthand experience in integrating drones into modern combat.
    — Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of gain
Verb
  • Investors sent chip stocks soaring this year on expectations for a massive AI buildout and a shortage of chips that would allow the companies to reap enormous profits.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Hopefully, Miami can begin to reap the benefits from the lumps that the trio of defensive linemen — Grant, Phillips and Biggers — received during their up-and-down rookie campaigns in 2025.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of reap
Verb
  • The hackers also obtained access to unique student identifier numbers as well as information about gender, race or ethnicity, primary language, country of origin and English learner status.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Detectives identified a person of interest and obtained a search warrant for a residence.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of obtain
Verb
  • Floated earlier this year, a separate bid to have political appointees—rather than independent expert panels—decide grant recipients garnered significant backlash.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The goals and guardrails came forward after district leaders hosted more than 40 community listening sessions in recent months to garner feedback from families, teachers and other stakeholders.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of garner
Verb
  • The producer made some pointed observations about the state of independent cinema.
    — Lise Pedersen, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The acquisition of 100 percent of ZO Skin Health will be made in an all-cash transaction and funded through cash reserves and bank financing.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 14 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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