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 agency announced Friday that Donald Do was arrested and charged with submitting false paperwork in an attempt to obtain a permit that would enable him to ship wild and protected turtles to Asia.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026

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

From Salon • May 15, 2026

More than one in four people who have an abortion obtain medication via telehealth, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which tracks reproductive health data.

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Along with the money, Kappe was able to obtain uniforms for his saboteurs, the same ones that the crew members on the submarine wore.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

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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