ACQUIRE Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

acquire

verb

ə-ˈkwī(-ə)r

Definition of acquire

as in to develop

to come to have gradually from years of working two jobs, he has acquired the ability to get by on only a few hours of sleep a day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to earn

to receive as return for effort acquired a reputation for always arriving at his friends' house just as they were sitting down to dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of acquire With Moore unavailable, Kansas City is expected to turn to Joshua Ezeudu, whom the team acquired from the New York Giants in August. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026 Netflix’s current approach to acquiring and distributing international programming has been so successful that Sarandos said the company has no plans to change its strategy. — Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2026 By 1989, the Clark had been acquired by May Wah International Enterprises, which was rooted in China and associated with the Chinese government, Attias said. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Perimeter acquired Monaco Enterprises in July for $120 million. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for acquire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for acquire

Verb

Most Americans don’t want more data centers and think AI is developing too fast.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
The grant pays for the organizations to train staff in exercise oncology, to develop or expand programs to help those who have had, or survived cancer.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of develop

Verb

The New York Red Bulls took advantage of an early own goal, added an Emil Forsberg score in second-half stoppage time and capitalized on a limited appearance by Lionel Messi to earn a crucial 2-0 victory over Inter Miami on Saturday.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
Prior to working in Hollywood, Atchity served as an assistant professor of English and comparative literature at Occidental College before earning tenure and becoming a full-time professor.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of earn

Verb

Also known as cattails or typha, the plants can be cultivated through paludiculture, the farming of wetland crops on rewetted land.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
It may be meant to teach posture or independence, invite play, cultivate an appreciation of craft, or eventually become an heirloom.

— Steven Weill, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of cultivate

Verb

The Panthers wound up out gaining Argyle 552 to 480 in total yards with running back Gabriel Bess picking up 160 yards on 19 carries.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
By adding a company with a long record in underwater robotics, Elbit gains access to specialist expertise that complements its existing surface, sensor, communications and command-and-control capabilities.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of gain

Verb

But Ben-Gvir and his allies hope to win enough seats to force Netanyahu to accommodate their demands or risk losing power.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Election Day nears The stakes are high as the race Marshall was supposed to win handily is now neck-and-neck, according to recent polling.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of win

Verb

The railroads have yet to reap the price benefits of the volume growth, since intermodal rates are set in an annual bid season each fall and winter.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
The platform continued to reap the benefits of record-high viewership for the FIFA World Cup, as the final games played out at the beginning of the quarter and aired on NBCUniversal's Telemundo and on Peacock.

— Catriona Marangi, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of reap

Verb

In an interview with Vogue at Cannes, Hoyeon described spending six months preparing for the action sequences, including firearms training, obtaining a stick-shift driving license, and learning stunt-driving techniques.

— Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
The Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands became sovereign countries, obtaining membership in the United Nations in September 1991.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of obtain

Verb

That’s more than double the cash Tesla’s been garnering from operations in the last few quarters, meaning that will have a much bigger cash deficit in the final three months of 2026.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
With luxury bags and accessory live shows garnering more than 150 million views so far in 2026, Coach is expected to see the biggest benefit at the accessible price point.

— Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of garner

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acquirable

acquire

acquired

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Style

“Acquire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acquire. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of acquire

verb

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