gained

9 synonyms and 4 antonyms for gained, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — Past tense and past participle of gain: obtained or acquired something, especially something desirable, over time or through effort.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

acquired obtained earned secured won rose

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

increased climbed put on

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

Past tense and past participle of gain: obtained or acquired something, especially something desirable, over time or through effort.

“She gained a first-class degree while working nights.”

acquired obtained earned secured won

Opposites

lost forfeited

2. verb

Increased in amount, level or value.

“He gained four kilos over the winter.”

rose increased climbed put on

Opposites

lost fell dropped

How to use gained

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

gained access gained ground gained traction gained weight gained experience

Neutral. Note the fixed idioms gained ground, gained traction, gained access and gained weight.

Etymology

From Old French gaaignier, meaning to earn or win, of Germanic origin.

Full origin of gained →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between gained and earned?

Earned implies you worked for something and deserved it — a wage, a qualification, someone's respect. Gained is broader and covers any increase or acquisition, deserved or not, including weight, speed and ground. You can gain an advantage by luck, but you cannot earn one by luck.

What does "gained traction" mean?

It means an idea, product or campaign started to attract real support and momentum after a slow start. The image is of wheels finally gripping the road.

People also searched

lost won fell rose dropped obtained earned acquired secured

Nearby words

← Back to the full definition of gained