retain

retain

verb

Definition of RETAIN

1

to continue to have in one's possession or power <I plan to retain the family heirlooms until my own children are mature enough to appreciate them, and then I will lovingly pass them on>

Synonyms hold, reserve, retain, withhold

Related Words conserve, guard, preserve, protect, save; boast, enjoy, have, own, possess; command, control, detain, direct, manage, rule; bear, harbor; cherish, cling (to), hug, treasure

Near Antonyms abandon, cede, drop; contribute, donate, give, hand out; discard, dump; decline, reject, repudiate, spurn; lose

Antonyms give up, hand over, release, relinquish, surrender, yield

2

to keep, control, or experience as one's own <that author retains the right to veto any changes in his books suggested by his publisher's notoriously intrusive editor>

Synonyms command, enjoy, hold, own, possess, retain

Related Words keep, reserve, withhold; bear, carry; boast, show off, sport

Near Antonyms abandon, cede, disclaim, disown, hand over, relinquish, renounce, surrender, yield; discard, dump; decline, reject, repudiate, spurn; need, require

Antonyms lack, want

3

to provide with a paying job <her neighbor retained her as a nanny for the summer, thus giving her something to do until school started again>

Synonyms assume, engage, fee [chiefly Scottish], hire, lay on [chiefly British], pay, place, recruit, retain, sign (up or on), take on

Related Words reemploy, reengage, rehire; apprentice, contract, job, partner, subcontract; enlist; advance, promote, upgrade; keep (on); headhunt, scout

Near Antonyms furlough, lay off, lock out

Antonyms ax (or axe), can, discharge, dismiss, fire, sack