reap

[reep]

verb (used with object)

1. to cut (wheat, rye, etc.) with a sickle or other implement or a machine, as in harvest.

2. to gather or take (a crop, harvest, etc.).

3. to get as a return, recompense, or result.

   to reap large profits.

   Synonyms: win, gain, realize, earn, gather

verb (used without object)

1. to reap a crop, harvest, etc.

reap

/ riːp /

verb

1. to cut or harvest (a crop), esp corn, from (a field or tract of land)

2. (tr) to gain or get (something) as a reward for or result of some action or enterprise

Other Word Forms

• reapable adjective
• unreaped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reap¹

before 900; Middle English repen, Old English repan, riopan; cognate with Middle Low German repen to ripple (flax); akin to ripe

Word History and Origins

Origin of reap¹

Old English riopan ; related to Norwegian ripa to scratch, Middle Low German repen to card, ripple (flax)

Example Sentences

Updike appreciated cats, adored Doris Day, was always eager “to do right, and reap the appropriate praise.”

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The winners stand to earn not only hefty fees but bragging rights for having worked on a deal that could reap the government billions of dollars.

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New York-based Inversion Labs plans to acquire low-margin companies, outfit them with blockchain to juice efficiency and then reap the profits that follow.

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But when prices soared in 2022, Occidental was sitting on prime oil territory and reaped banner profits that helped it cut its total debt by billions of dollars.

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By contrast, Chinese companies stand to reap the benefits of their performative environmentalism.

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Related Words

• bring in 
• derive 
• gain 
• garner 
• obtain 
• produce 
• realize 
• receive 
• recover 
• take in