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View synonyms for obtain

obtain

[ uhb-teyn ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to come into possession of; get, acquire, or procure, as through an effort or by a request:

    to obtain permission;

    to obtain a better income.

    Synonyms: attain, win, earn, achieve, gain

    Antonyms: forgo, lose

  2. Obsolete. to attain or reach.


verb (used without object)

  1. to be prevalent, customary, or in vogue; prevail:

    the morals that obtained in Rome.

  2. Archaic. to succeed.

obtain

/ əbˈteɪn /

verb

  1. tr to gain possession of; acquire; get
  2. intr to be customary, valid, or accepted

    a new law obtains in this case

  3. archaic.
    tr to arrive at
  4. archaic.
    intr to win a victory; succeed


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Derived Forms

  • obˈtainable, adjective
  • obˈtainer, noun
  • obˌtainaˈbility, noun
  • obˈtainment, noun

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Other Words From

  • ob·taina·ble adjective
  • ob·taina·bili·ty noun
  • ob·tainer noun
  • ob·tainment noun
  • preob·tain verb (used with object)
  • preob·taina·ble adjective
  • reob·tain verb (used with object)
  • reob·taina·ble adjective
  • unob·taina·ble adjective
  • unob·tained adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of obtain1

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English obteinen, from Middle French obtenir, from Latin obtinēre “to take hold of,” equivalent to ob- ob- ( def ) + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre “to hold”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of obtain1

C15: via Old French from Latin obtinēre to take hold of, from ob- (intensive) + tenēre to hold

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Synonym Study

See get.

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Example Sentences

Many schools were created in churches because obtaining funding to build separate structures was difficult.

The disconnect disproportionately affects low-income Americans and people of color, further depriving them of access to the tools they need to obtain financial help, find jobs and otherwise participate in digital life.

In addition, since the contracts we analyzed and reviewed consisted only of those we could obtain from the PERC website, they may not be representative of all contracts in New Jersey.

They stand about eight feet apart, according to the video, which was obtained by The Washington Post.

Many of the owners, including 11-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater, installed the protections without first obtaining the state’s permission.

In order to extend their legal residence in the United States, they had to obtain other visas.

Rebels in Africa trade in children to fund their conflicts and obtain child soldiers.

That McCulloch failed to obtain an indictment of Wilson means only one thing: He did not want to obtain an indictment.

The investigation stems from Dec. 2013 charges that 25 Russian diplomats allegedly tried to obtain fraudulent Medicaid benefits.

The interview then shifts to interrogation, which is a conversation intended to obtain inculpatory statements.

The worst loss is that of Winston's ear; high principles won't obtain high explosives.

The startled operators at Umballa could obtain no further intelligence and the boy was slain at his post.

In the course of time, absolution for the sacrilege was obtained from the Pope; but my father could never obtain it from himself.

Yet there never was lacking a volunteer, either man or woman, to go to that well and obtain the precious water.

Allcraft took care to obtain the consent of Bellamy to his arrangement.

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obstruentobtaining by deception