Dictionary-enhanced synonyms
Synonyms for “Get” — 21 Other Ways to Say It
To receive or obtain something; to come to have or own something you want.
Meanings of Get — Pick the Sense You Need
Get has 5 common meanings. The synonyms below are grouped by meaning so you can jump straight to the sense you need.
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Meaning #1
as a verb
To receive or obtain something; to come to have or own something you want.
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Meaning #2
as a verb
to gradually change into a different state or feel a certain way; to become
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Meaning #3
as a verb
to reach or come to a specific location; to move from one place to another
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Meaning #4
as a verb
To become sick with an illness or receive a score, punishment, or injury.
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Meaning #5
as a verb
To understand or figure out what someone means or what something means.
How to Pronounce Get
IPA: /ɡɛtʃ/ Stress: O
One short syllable with /ɛ/ vowel like in 'bed', followed by /t/ sound. Stress falls on the single syllable.
4 Synonyms for Get (Meaning #1 — as a verb)
These synonyms work when you use get as a verb. Meaning: To receive or obtain something; to come to have or own something you want.
obtain
/əbˈteɪn/To get or receive something that you want or need.
Example: You can obtain a visa by submitting the required documents.
receive
/rɪˈsiːv/To get something that is given or sent to you.
Example: I received a letter yesterday.
acquire
/əˈkwaɪər/To get or obtain something that you did not have before.
Example: She acquired a new skill by practicing regularly.
gain
/ɡeɪn/To get something you did not have before, or to have more of something.
Example: She gained confidence after winning the speech competition.
5 Synonyms for Get (Meaning #2 — as a verb)
These synonyms work when you use get as a verb. Meaning: to gradually change into a different state or feel a certain way; to become
become
/bɪˈkʌm/To change and start to be something different; to grow or develop into.
Example: He became a doctor after studying for years.
turn
/tɜːrn/When it is your time to do something, like in a game or line.
Example: It is your turn to play.
grow
/ɡroʊ/To become larger or develop naturally over time.
Example: Plants grow taller in the spring.
start
/stɑːrt/To begin or commence an activity, event, or process.
Example: We start school at nine o'clock.
begin
/bɪˈɡɪn/To start something; to make something start; to commence an action or event.
Example: The movie begins at 7 o'clock tonight.
5 Synonyms for Get (Meaning #3 — as a verb)
These synonyms work when you use get as a verb. Meaning: to reach or come to a specific location; to move from one place to another
arrive
/əˈraɪv/To come to a place where you are going.
Example: We arrive at the airport at 10 AM.
reach
/riːtʃ/To stretch out your hand or arm to get something that is far from you.
Example: Can you reach the book on the top shelf?
come
/kʌm/To move from where you are to where someone else is.
Example: Can you come to my house tomorrow?
go
/ɡoʊ/To move or travel from one place to a different place; to depart or leave a location.
Example: I go to work every morning at eight o'clock.
travel
/ˈtrævəl/Go on a journey to a different location for work or fun.
Example: I like to travel to new countries every year.
4 Synonyms for Get (Meaning #4 — as a verb)
These synonyms work when you use get as a verb. Meaning: To become sick with an illness or receive a score, punishment, or injury.
catch
/kætʃ/To grab something quickly before it falls or escapes.
Example: I caught the ball with both hands.
contract
/ˈkɒntrækt/A written promise that two people or companies make with each other, with rules both must follow.
Example: She signed a contract with the publishing company.
develop
/dɪˈvɛləp/To grow and improve, or to create and build something gradually.
Example: Children develop different skills as they grow older.
receive
/rɪˈsiːv/To get something that is given or sent to you.
Example: I received a letter yesterday.
4 Synonyms for Get (Meaning #5 — as a verb)
These synonyms work when you use get as a verb. Meaning: To understand or figure out what someone means or what something means.
understand
/ˌʌndərˈstænd/To know or grasp what something means; to comprehend or realize something.
Example: I do not understand this math problem.
follow
/ˈfɑːloʊ/To move behind someone because you want to go where they are going.
Example: Follow me to the classroom, please.
Smart Synonyms for Get — When to Use Each
obtain
for formal or written contexts requiring something
receive
for when something is given to you by
acquire
for gradually coming to own or possess something
Antonyms of Get — Opposite Words
How to Use Get and Its Synonyms in Sentences
- I get a new bicycle every few years. A1
- Can you get some milk from the store? A1
- Students get their exam results by email next week. B1
- She gets tired after working all day. A1
- It gets cold in winter. A1
Common Word Choice Mistakes with Get
Not natural: She arrives home at five.
Better: She gets home at five.
'gets home' emphasizes the arrival point in routine context; 'arrives' works too but 'get' is more natural in daily speech
Frequently Asked Questions About Synonyms of Get
What is another word for "get"?
Common synonyms for "get" include: obtain, receive, acquire, gain, become.
What can I say instead of "get"?
Try one of these alternatives: obtain, receive, acquire, gain, become. Pick the synonym whose register and meaning fits your sentence — see the cards above for definitions and examples.
Is "get" formal or informal?
"get" is generally used in neutral contexts.
When should I use "get" instead of "obtain"?
Use "get" when you want to keep the exact nuance shown in the meaning section above; switch to "obtain" when you need a different register, level, or shade of meaning. Compare the cards above to decide.
What are the antonyms of "get"?
Words with the opposite meaning of "get" include: lose, give, discard, misunderstand, confuse.