EARN Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

earn

verb

ˈərn

Definition of earn

as in to win

to receive as return for effort during my teen years I earned pocket money by mowing lawns

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to deserve

to be or make worthy of (as a reward or punishment) you've earned the afternoon off after all that hard work

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 earn Ashby then retired Lane Thomas on a fly to left and got a double-play grounder from Austin Riley to earn his second save. — ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026 Operating costs Cleaning, maintenance, utilities, insurance and other expenses reduce what owners ultimately earn from a property. — Mike Winters, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026 It was worn by cornerback Chris Johnson, who earned All-American honors last season and was a first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in the 2026 NFL Draft. — Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 Besides Webb, Palencia and Assad, 10 other pitchers have earned at least one save for the Cubs, a sign of their adaptability. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for earn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for earn

Verb

Now, audiences have a chance to experience the story as a Tony Award-winning musical.

— Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
The victory gave the second-place Yankees a four-game winning streak and put them four games behind the first-place Rays.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of win

Verb

The pastry chef deserves a special shout-out, too, not least for the doorstop wedge of baklava in Kafeneo.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Unusual circumstances can expand our understanding of an artist, raising legitimate questions and illuminating aspects of a career that deserves serious consideration.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of deserve

Verb

As the perfumery acknowledges, these collaborations allow the brand to gain exposure in other creative spheres while also creating a product that is reflective of both specialties.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
During last week’s earnings call, FanDuel’s parent company, Flutter, noted its prediction market platform can gain customers faster in states where sportsbooks are still under scrutiny.

— Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of gain

Verb

The post even garnered a series of blue heart emojis from Troye Sivan, Kidman’s costar in the 2018 biographical drama Boy Erased.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026
Ahead of the high-profile trial, Roach imposed a gag order in the case and barred any electronics from the courtroom during the proceedings due to the attention the case had garnered.

— Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of garner

Verb

And artists deserve a fair pay percentage for work that assists their employers in making profits.

— Pat Saperstein, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Republicans hope to pick up four more House districts in November after the state redrew its congressional map earlier this year and made those districts more GOP-friendly.

— Emily Chang, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of make

Verb

Authorities said tens of millions of additional dollars were solicited before the SEC obtained a temporary restraining order against Drive Planning in August 2024.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
After obtaining racino approval from the Illinois Gaming Board in the summer of 2020, many in the racing community suggested that Carey put up a temporary facility as the Waukegan licensee, Bally’s in Chicago and others have done.

— Neil Milbert, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of obtain

Verb

Side effects were similar to other vaccines that people typically get for other diseases, Healy noted.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
The Lions lead back is sure to get as many or more touches this year with David Montgomery gone, and Detroit’s offense will score points.

— Jess Bryant, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of get

Browse Nearby Words

earmarks

earn

earned

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Style

“Earn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earn. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of earn

verb

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