obtain

Get hold of

To obtain something is to get it or come into possession of it.

The word is slightly formal, often appearing in official or written contexts: You'll need to obtain a permit before construction begins.

The documents were obtained through a public records request.

Something that obtains (without an object) holds true or is in effect: Different rules obtain in different jurisdictions.

acquire

procure

Obtain through effort

secureProtected from harm
attainReach through effort
garnerTo accumulate systematically

get · gain · fetch · retrieve · collect · gather · access · derive · extract · purchase

effort

struggle

Labored effort against resistance

endeavorPurposeful sustained attempt
toilStrenuous, prolonged effort
laborStrenuous effort; also childbirth

strive · work · persevere · persist · pursue · seek · hunt · chase · quest · earn

achievement

accomplish

Complete successfully

achieveSucceed through effort
realizeBecome aware of
fulfillExecute to completion

reach · attain · succeed · complete · earn · merit · qualify · master · unlock · clinch

seize

confiscate

Seize by authority

appropriateSuited to circumstance
annexSupplementary building or seizure
commandeerSeize for official purposes

impound · expropriate · usurp · requisition · capture · take · claim · wrest · snatch · grab

possession

ownership

Legal right of possession

propertySomething owned or inherent
holdingsProperty one owns
assetsOwned items of value

belongings · acquisition · goods · resources · estate · valuables · chattels · effects · inheritance · treasures

Categories

obtainingget, acquire, gain, procure, secure
formal verbsrequest, inquire, require, submit, proceed
wantingwant, desire, crave, yearn, long
bring infetch, carry, gather, collect, haul
formal wordshereby, herein, thereof, thereby, whereby
discoveryfind, finding, discovery, discover, finding out

Opposites

acquisition vs. dispossession

obtainlose

Fail to keep

give · relinquish · surrender · forfeit · give up

success vs. failure in getting

obtainmiss

Fail to reach

lack · forego · go without · come up empty

keeping vs. releasing

Abandon completely

forego · abandon · release · let go · cede

Family

obtaining, obtained, obtainable, unobtainable, obtains, obtainment

Familiarity: Top 20,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G