attain
Other forms: attained; attaining; attains
The verb attain is all about reaching some mark of achievement. You can attain a goal. You can even attain a destination.
If you consistently have the highest grades in your class, you'll probably attain a reputation for success. Attain derives in part from the Latin tangere, "to touch," which is also at the root of retain, "to keep," obtain, "to get," and contain, "to control." One might obtain the discipline to contain one's emotions while studying, thereby attaining control and retaining more information.
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gain with effortsynonyms: accomplish, achieve, reachtypes:scoreget a certain number or letter indicating quality or performancebeginachieve or accomplish in the least degree, usually used in the negativeculminatereach the highest or most decisive pointcompassbring about; accomplishaverageachieve or reach on averagetestachieve a certain score or rating on a testtype of:bring home the bacon, come through, deliver the goods, succeed, winattain success or reach a desired goal
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reach a point in time, or a certain state or level
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reach a destination, either real or abstractmakereach in timetypes:catch upreach the point where one should be after a delaybottom outreach the low pointtopreach or ascend the top ofmakereach in timefindsucceed in reaching; arrive atculminatereach the highest altitude or the meridian, of a celestial bodycome through, get throughsucceed in reaching a real or abstract destination after overcoming problemscome backeven the score, in sportscrestreach a high point
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find unexpectedlysynonyms: chance on, chance upon, come across, come upon, discover, fall upon, happen upon, light upon, strike
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Vocabulary lists containing attain
The Constitution is, quite simply, the basis of all American democracy. The document details what the branches of government must do, are entitled to do, and what they cannot do. Abraham Lincoln said: "Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties." In addition to cherishing the Constitution as the tangible basis of all our rights and laws, there is always a lot of controversy in political circles about what is and isn't "constitutional," so it is important to be familiar with what the actual document says to be able to evaluate those claims. The entire document can be read here.
In September, 1952, Richard Nixon, a young senator from California, was nominated to run for Vice President. Days later, however, he was accused of accepting funds from campaign donors to use for personal expenses. Nixon chose to use the new medium of television to defend himself. In a televised speech, he admitted to receiving one gift — a cocker spaniel named Checkers. He explained that his two young daughters loved the dog and would not give it up. The speech was a tremendous success, and Nixon went on to serve two terms as Vice President. Ironically, another television performance, a debate with John Kennedy in 1960, cost him the election that year. Nixon was elected President in 1968, but ultimately resigned in the wake of the Watergate scandal.
Liesel Meminger is a foster child living in Nazi Germany in 1939. Surrounded by violence, hardship, and war, Liesel is watched over by Death, who narrates her story. Here are links to our lists for the novel: Prologue–Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine, Part Ten–Epilogue