List of 426 Sets of Synonyms - How they Differ - Total of 2307 Words - 311

SYNONYMS: reach, achieve, attain, gain, compass.
All of these verbs mean to succeed in arriving at a goal or an objective.

Reach, the least specific, like the other terms connotes the expenditure of effort: reached shelter before the storm broke; reach an understanding; reach perfection.
Achieve suggests in addition the application of skill or initiative: achieved international recognition.
Attain often implies the impelling force of ambition, principle, or ideals: trying to attain self-confidence.
Gain connotes considerable effort in surmounting obstacles: gained the confidence of the workers.
Compass implies circumvention of impediments to success: couldn't compass the assigned task