EN

Synonyms for attain

  • verb

Most common

reach gain earn succeed overtake

Synonyms by meaning

Verb

1. Accomplish — to gain (a desired result or other objective) through effort; to accomplish, to achieve

reach, gain, arrive at, get, earn, make, succeed, win, fulfill US, fulfil UK, hit, arrive, realize, realise UK, extend, score, effect, compass, fetch, effectuate, execute, consummate, accomplish dated

2. Come upon — to find out (information, knowledge, etc.); to ascertain, to get at

find, come to, come upon, learn, discover, chance on, happen upon, come across, fall upon, light upon, strike

3. Achieve — to gain possession of (something tangible or intangible) through effort; to acquire, to obtain

achieve, acquire, obtain, procure

Other

overtake

Definitions

  1. v. 1

    To gain (a desired result or other objective) through effort; to accomplish, to achieve.

    To attain such a high level of proficiency requires hours of practice each day.

  2. v. 2

    To gain possession of (something tangible or intangible) through effort; to acquire, to obtain.

  3. v. 3

    To find out (information, knowledge, etc.); to ascertain, to get at.

Related words

Word family
attainability attainable attainment attainder attaint attainture

Forms

Past participle
attained
e.g. attained → reached, gained, getten, earnt…

Choose the right word

Attain or Attains?

Attain is a lofty word, pointing to some high or desirable result; a man attains the mountain summit, he attains honor or learning as the result of strenuous and earnest labor.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

  • reach I placed the medicine out of the children's reach.
  • gain Tom doesn't gain weight even though he eats a lot.
  • earn Tom doesn't earn enough money to support a family.
  • succeed If it were not for your help, I could not succeed.
  • overtake The Prince followed, but could not overtake her.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
attainfalling
reachsteady
gainsteady
earnsteady
succeedsteady
overtakerising

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters
get1, win1, hit1
4 letters
make1, find1, gain1, earn1
5 letters
learn1, reach1, score1, fetch1
6 letters
effect2, strike1, arrive2, obtain2, extend2, fulfil2
7 letters
realize3, achieve2, succeed2, realise3, acquire3, execute3, fulfill2, compass2, procure2
8 letters
discover3, overtake3
10 letters
accomplish3, consummate3, effectuate4

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (effect2 = 2 syllables).