purchase
3
7.7
- noun
- /ˈpɜrʧəs/
- Relatedly, Santayana explains how these essences, despite being evanescent, find purchase in our solid material world.
- gain purchase
Examples
-
And that allows you to get some nice purchase on this thing and then to unscrew once.
-
Bob Leffert has a good purchase on the seats with his good hand and his hook.
Fiction book (2001) -
The rope grabbed at him and ran up and down the neck looking for purchase.
-
Gold seized the chain and yanked at it, but could get no purchase in the snow.
Fiction book (1996) -
His feet were sliding in the loose gravel, struggling for purchase like dream appendages.
Fiction book (2001) -
A new toehold, another pull, a higher purchase... clawing and clambering, he ascended the wall.
Fiction book (1992) -
The wipers flap-flapping, flap-flapping; the car fighting for purchase on the grey glistening ribbon of road.
Fiction book (2000) -
Plissken reaches under the Caddy, finds a purchase on the undercarriage, and swings under the Cadillac.
Fiction book (1996) -
He struggled to find purchase on the slippery rock face as he climbed.
-
The mechanic explained that a solid grip on the tool provides better purchase when tightening screws.
Synonyms
213
1.0
The part of an object you hold to carry or use it
72
1.0
A firm grip on something
31
1.0
The part of an object shaped to fit the hand
14
4.9
Extra force you get when using a lever to move something
6
3.0
A part of something you grab with your hand for support, like a rail
Antonyms
Compounds
- Formal
7
3.2
A written document from a buyer to a seller that lists items, how many of each, and the agreed prices
4
4.7
An 1803 purchase of a large area of land from France that doubled the size of the United States
- Formal
3
3.6
A written contract that explains the details and rules for buying a house or other goods
- Formal
1
3.3
A legal agreement between a buyer and a seller that explains the terms of a sale
1
5.9
To pay for something by small regular payments while you use it until you own it
- Specialized
1
3.8
A plan that lets employees buy shares in their company, often at a lower price
- Specialized
A right to buy shares of a company at a fixed price often sold with bonds
How Firm
Surface Forms
Etymology
Purchase originally meant 'to get' or 'gain', and that idea was later used to mean 'get a good hold' on something. That's why purchase can also mean a firm grip or advantage that helps you move or control something.