achieve vs attain

achieve

verb
  • To obtain, or gain (a desired result, objective etc.), as the result of exertion; to succeed in gaining; to win. 

  • Show all the spoils by valiant kings achieved. 

  • To succeed in something, now especially in academic performance. 

  • To carry out successfully; to accomplish. 

  • To obtain (a material thing). 

attain

verb
  • To gain (an object or desired result). 

  • To reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive at (a place, time, state, etc.). 

  • To come or arrive, by motion, growth, bodily exertion, or efforts toward a place, object, state, etc. 

How often have the words achieve and attain occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )