Definitions

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.

The police didn’t obtain months of location data.

From Slate • Jun. 29, 2026

This approach allowed the team to obtain the companion's spectrum, which separates light into its component colors.

From Science Daily • Jun. 28, 2026

After announcing the pause of the evacuation plan on Thursday, Dominguez on Friday said he was working with parties, including the US, Iran and Oman, to obtain guarantees vessels would not be targeted.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026

"This is not specific to France, similar communications have been sent to affected users in other EU markets," the company said Thursday, adding it had until June 30 to obtain the necessary authorisations.

From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026

Maybe he would have another vision, and somehow obtain an answer.

From "The Birchbark House" by Louise Erdrich

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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