gain 1 of 2

verb

Definition of gainnext
1
as in to gather
to gradually increase in our hopes were raised as the movement gained strength

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Relevance

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2
as in to earn
to receive as return for effort gained her affections with his boyishly shy manner

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3
as in to recover
to become healthy and strong again after illness or weakness is steadily gaining after his bout with the flu and will be back on his feet soon

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4
as in to increase
to become greater in size, extent, volume, amount, or number the new version of the car gained in both width and length compared to the earlier model

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5
as in to achieve
to obtain (as a goal) through effort vowed to gain control of the company by any means necessary

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6
as in to persuade
to cause (someone) to agree with a belief or course of action by using arguments or earnest request the radical party was able to gain some supporters with intense recruitment on college campuses

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gain

2 of 2

noun

ˈgān How to pronounce gain (audio)
1
as in increase
something added (as by growth) attributed her recent weight gain to the medication she was taking

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2
as in profit
the amount of money left when expenses are subtracted from the total amount received the company posted a substantial fourth-quarter gain, signaling an end to their money-losing ventures

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3
as in revenue
usually gains plural an increase usually measured in money that comes from labor, business, or property net gains this year were better than last

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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 gain
Verb
This type of immersive education challenges students to engage with conflict not as passive observers but as active participants, working alongside those directly impacted by conflict to understand their experiences and gain firsthand knowledge of the complexities involved in sustaining peace. —David Dumke, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026 Beyond the cinematic techniques, Manuel values the personal insights gained from the extended mentorship. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
Goldman Sachs estimated the productivity gains from AI would effectively wipe out any hit to GDP growth related to the effects of greater electricity costs. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026 Every healthy young animal represents a measurable gain for the entire population. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gain
  1. gather
  2. earn
  3. recover
  4. increase
  5. achieve
  6. persuade
  7. boost
  8. profit
Verb
  • And as traders bought more, the gains gathered steam, resulting in skyrocketing prices.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Several dozen demonstrators also gathered at Temple and Alameda streets near the federal building, and a broadcast report said police issued a dispersal order there.
    — City News Service, Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of gather
Verb
  • Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services.
    — USA Today staff, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Beyond her performances, Russo has earned critical recognition as a songwriter.
    — Kristen Wisneski, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of earn
Verb
  • Kyrie Irving has yet to play this season while recovering from ACL surgery and Dereck Lively II was limited to just seven games before his third season was abruptly ended because of right foot surgery.
    — Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
  • According to Yun, researchers might someday tweak human stem cells to emulate the axolotl and recover thymus function.
    — Taylor Mitchell Brown, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of recover
Verb
  • The concern is not only the surge in killings, but the increasing brazenness with which they are carried out.
    — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
  • For example, rising temperatures have direct harms on health by increasing risk of dehydration and causing more stress on the heart.
    — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of increase
Verb
  • For instance, an athlete might restrict food intake to find focus, or delay eating to achieve a specific goal that day.
    — Emily Hemendinger, The Conversation, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Florida’s victory launched a historic run that culminated in SEC and NCAA championships — a double last achieved by the 2001 Gators.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of achieve
Verb
  • But multiple Democratic senators said that's not enough to persuade them to back off their demands.
    — Riley Beggin, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Renato Renner of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich is not persuaded that resolving the conflict between the Copenhagen and many-worlds interpretations solves all the problems.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of persuade
Noun
  • Universities across the state will also get a sizable boost from the funding bills.
    — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
  • But now researchers say a quick nap might offer that same kind of brain boost.
    — Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of boost
Noun
  • Over the same period, corporate profits, or the leftover cash used to grow a business or pay owners, have been on the rise, reaching nearly 12% of the share of gross domestic income in the third quarter, up from 6%.
    — Jake Angelo, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Cineplex saw its fourth quarter profits and revenue fall on lower theater attendance.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of profit

Phrases Containing gain

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gain
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Cite this Entry

“Gain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gain. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gain

Nglish: Translation of gain for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gain

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