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.

Because it is inexpensive, easy to obtain, and well tolerated, researchers believe it could be quickly tested as a complementary approach to cancer treatment.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026

Garcia, the mother of two, said she will keep trying to obtain the benefits.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

In order to obtain a warrant to obtain a blood draw, the officer “falsely claimed that Senator Cervantes had an unsteady gait, slurred speech, and an appearance of drowsiness,” the complaint alleges.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

To obtain LPG cylinders legally in India, households and businesses must register for a connection using identity and address documents, and book cylinders in advance through authorised distributors.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Eventually an experiment can be reliably mass-produced by manufacturing special equipment designed to obtain precisely that result—the equipment and the results are interdependent.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Vocabulary lists containing obtain

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Essential English Vocabulary, List 1

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