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.

Annie has had no path to obtain a green card or otherwise become legal.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

If mifepristone is difficult to obtain, a misoprostol-only medication abortion still works.

From Salon • May 15, 2026

Ryan Moreno said at a Thursday morning news conference that details on the suspect are currently limited as the department has yet to obtain a video or photo of the driver.

From Los Angeles Times • 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

When Gaston asked him what he had done to obtain knowledge that was not in the encyclopedia, he received the same answer as José Arcadio: “Everything is known.”

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

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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