“Attain” vs. “Obtain”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “attain” and “obtain”

  • Attain emphasizes the active effort and achievement of a goal while obtain focuses on the acquisition or possession of something.
  • Attain implies personal achievement while obtain suggests the receipt of something external.
  • Attain is often used to describe accomplishing something through hard work or dedication, while obtain can refer to more passive means of acquiring something.
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What is the definition of “attain” and “obtain”?

Attain
  • To achieve or accomplish something that one has worked towards.
  • It can also refer to the reaching or gaining of a certain level, status or position.
  • Attain is often used for personal achievements or goals.
Obtain
  • To acquire or receive something through effort or struggle.
  • It can also refer to the act of procuring something by means of negotiation or request.
  • Obtain is often used for acquiring material objects or resources.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Obtain” is the more popular variant on the web.
Attain
169,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. She was able to attain her dream of becoming a doctor after years of hard work.
  2. He set a goal to attain a higher score on his next exam and worked towards it diligently.
  3. The team was finally able to attain victory after months of training and preparation.
More popular
Obtain
1,240,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I was able to obtain a copy of the book through the library's inter-library loan service.
  2. He had to fill out several forms before he could obtain a visa to travel to the foreign country.
  3. The company was able to obtain a new contract with a client after presenting a strong proposal.
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