OpenSynonym

gains

/ɡeɪnz/

NOUN

1. The act of acquiring or obtaining something

The process or action of acquiring possession of something through effort, opportunity, or other means.

1.1. Acquisition or attainment

The act of obtaining, acquiring, or accumulating something that was previously unavailable or not possessed.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • losses
  • forfeitures
  • relinquishments
  • surrenders
  • depletions

Examples

  • Regular exercise leads to noticeable gains in physical strength.
  • Through consistent studying, she made impressive academic gains.

Related Words

1.2. Benefits, profits, or valuable results

Advantages, benefits, financial returns, or other favorable results obtained from an activity, investment, or experience.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The stock market experienced significant gains after a positive economic report.
  • Implementing efficient processes resulted in substantial productivity gains for the company.

Related Words

1.3. An increase in signal strength

The factor by which an electronic or communication signal is amplified or multiplied in strength.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The audio engineer adjusted the amplifier gains to achieve a clearer sound.

Related Words

  • amplifiers
  • signal strength
  • audio levels
  • signal processing
  • power

1.4. Notches in structural timber

Square or beveled notches cut into a girder, joist, or other timber to receive and support the end of a floor beam.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The carpenter carefully cut the gains into the wooden girders to support the floor beams.

Related Words

  • girders
  • joists
  • floor beams
  • timber
  • wood joints
  • carpentry

VERB

2. To acquire possession of something

To obtain, acquire, or become the possessor of something through effort, opportunity, or action.

2.1. Obtaining or acquiring something

Getting or securing possession of something that was previously unavailable or not owned.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • She gains valuable experience through her work with international clients.
  • The organization gains access to new resources through its partnership.

Related Words

2.2. Earning money or making a profit

Obtaining money, income, or financial returns through employment, business, investment, or other economic activities.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • loses
  • pays
  • spends
  • forfeits
  • incurs losses

Examples

  • The company gains substantial profits from its international operations.
  • Investors gain significant returns from successful long-term investments.

Related Words

VERB

3. To receive an advantage or make progress

To obtain a benefit or profit, become more successful, or advance in one's interests, health, or happiness.

3.1. Obtaining an advantage or benefit

Improving one's position or receiving something favorable from a situation, experience, or action.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • declines
  • deteriorates
  • worsens
  • regresses
  • loses

Examples

  • The students gain valuable knowledge through practical training.
  • The organization gains an advantage by adopting more efficient processes.

Related Words

VERB

4. To win or achieve victory

To come out as the winner or victor in a competition, contest, or struggle, or to obtain something through competition.

4.1. Winning competitions or achieving success

Defeating competitors or obtaining a favorable result through competition, skill, or effort.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The team gains several victories during the championship season.
  • The athlete gains recognition by consistently outperforming competitors.

Related Words

VERB

5. To increase in amount, size, or intensity

To become greater in quantity, size, value, strength, or intensity.

5.1. Increasing in quantity or size

Growing larger or greater in amount, number, volume, or physical dimensions.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The company gains market share as demand for its products increases.
  • The population gains steadily over the following decade.

Related Words

5.2. Increasing in strength or intensity

Becoming more powerful, intense, pronounced, or influential over time.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The storm gains strength as it moves toward the coast.
  • The campaign gains momentum after receiving widespread public support.

Related Words

VERB

6. To become more likely to catch or overtake someone

To get closer to an individual or competitor ahead, reducing the distance between them and making it more likely to catch or overtake them.

6.1. Catching up with someone

Gradually reducing the distance between oneself and someone who is ahead.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The pursuing runner gains on the leader during the final lap.
  • The second-place cyclist gains on the frontrunner as the race approaches its conclusion.

Related Words

VERB

7. To reach a place or destination

To arrive at or reach a particular place, point, or destination after traveling or making progress.

7.1. Reaching a destination

Arriving at a location, position, or endpoint after movement or effort.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The hikers gain the summit after several hours of climbing.
  • The expedition gains the northern shore after days at sea.

Related Words

  • approaches
  • arrival
  • access
  • destination
  • travel

VERB

8. To win someone's support or bring them to one's side

To persuade someone to support, favor, or join a person, cause, group, or interest.

8.1. Persuading someone to support a cause

Winning someone's agreement, confidence, cooperation, or support through persuasion and influence.

Synonyms

  • persuades
  • convinces
  • cajoles
  • coaxes
  • blandishes
  • brings around
  • brings round
  • influences
  • sways
  • induces
  • entices
  • wheedles
  • overpersuades

Antonyms

  • dissuades
  • discourages
  • deters
  • alienates

Examples

  • The candidate gains support from voters through persuasive speeches.
  • The manager gains the confidence of employees through open communication.

Related Words

  • conciliates
  • allures
  • entreats
  • approval
  • agreement
  • cooperation

VERB

9. To put on weight

To increase in body weight, usually as a result of changes in diet, activity, or physical condition.

9.1. Increasing body weight

Becoming heavier or adding body mass over a period of time.

Synonyms

  • puts on weight
  • bulks up
  • fleshes out
  • fattens

Antonyms

  • loses weight
  • slims down
  • thins

Examples

  • He gains weight after changing his eating habits.
  • The athlete gains muscle mass through regular strength training.

Related Words

  • weight gain
  • body mass
  • bulk
  • fattening
  • weight increase

VERB

10. For a clock or watch to run fast

To show a time later than the correct time because a clock or watch operates faster than it should.

10.1. A clock or watch advancing too quickly

Indicating more elapsed time than has actually passed because the timekeeping mechanism runs fast.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • loses time
  • runs slow
  • lags

Examples

  • The old clock gains several minutes every week.
  • Her wristwatch gains time overnight and needs to be adjusted.

Related Words

  • timekeeping
  • clock
  • watch
  • timekeeping accuracy