obtain

[uhb-teyn] / əbˈteɪn /

VERB

get, acquire

Synonyms

STRONGEST

access achieve attain collect earn gain gather glean have pick up procure purchase reach realize reap receive recover retrieve secure seize take win

STRONG

accomplish annex capture compass cop corral effect fetch grab hoard inherit invade nab occupy pocket salvage save score snag wangle

WEAK

beg borrow or steal chalk up come by drum up get at get hold of get one's hands on gobble up lay up make use of scrape together scrape up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disperse distribute divide fail forfeit free give give up let go lose miss misunderstand offer plant release scatter spend throw away

STRONG

endanger harm hurt squander surrender waste yield

WEAK

forsake sacrifice

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But the bigger concern is what would happen if people over 65 had to obtain private health insurance.

From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026

Last month BBC News revealed how migrants whose visas are due to expire are being instructed how to obtain fake evidence, including supporting letters and photographs, to support asylum claims.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

MFS has been accused by investors and lenders of double-pledging collateral to obtain loans.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

The environmentalists won the most recent round when a federal judge ordered the dunes closed until state parks officials obtain a permit from U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

And stronger than my desire to obtain my doctorate in math, I had started feeling the urge to have a baby.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

Vocabulary lists containing obtain

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

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Essential English Vocabulary, List 1

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100 SAT words Beginning with "O"

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