Synonyms of retain

retain

verb

ri-ˈtān 

1

as in to keep

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 & Similar Words

• keep
• hold
• preserve
• possess
• save
• withhold
• have
• reserve
• protect
• conserve
• enjoy
• hold on to
• guard
• hang on to
• own
• manage
• boast
• control
• detain
• direct
• rule
• cherish
• treasure
• command
• cling (to)
• harbor
• bear
• hug

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• yield
• relinquish
• give
• surrender
• release
• give up
• abandon
• contribute
• drop
• donate
• discard
• lose
• cede
• hand over
• reject
• dump
• decline
• repudiate
• hand out
• spurn

2

as in to have

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 & Similar Words

• have
• possess
• own
• enjoy
• hold
• keep
• withhold
• command
• reserve
• carry
• rejoice in
• boast
• sport
• bear
• show off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• want
• lack
• relinquish
• yield
• abandon
• renounce
• surrender
• discard
• require
• need
• dump
• reject
• cede
• disclaim
• decline
• repudiate
• disown
• hand over
• spurn

3

as in to employ

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 & Similar Words

• employ
• recruit
• hire
• engage
• pay
• place
• enlist
• sign (up or on)
• assume
• fee
• take on
• lay on
• job
• promote
• partner
• rehire
• reengage
• reemploy
• subcontract
• upgrade
• keep (on)
• contract
• apprentice
• advance
• headhunt
• scout

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• can
• dismiss
• sack
• discharge
• axe
• fire
• ax
• lay off
• lock out
• furlough

Synonym Chooser

How is the word retain distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of retain are detain, keep, reserve, and withhold. While all these words mean "to hold in one's possession or under one's control," retain implies continued keeping, especially against threatened seizure or forced loss.

managed to retain their dignity even in poverty

When is detain a more appropriate choice than retain?

The meanings of detain and retain largely overlap; however, detain suggests a delay in letting go.

detained them for questioning

When might keep be a better fit than retain?

In some situations, the words keep and retain are roughly equivalent. However, keep may suggest a holding securely in one's possession, custody, or control.

keep this while I'm gone

When can reserve be used instead of retain?

The words reserve and retain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reserve suggests a keeping in store for future use.

reserve some of your energy for the last mile

In what contexts can withhold take the place of retain?

The words withhold and retain can be used in similar contexts, but withhold implies restraint in letting go or a refusal to let go.

withheld information from the authorities

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of retain

The Knicks can also retain Hukporti and P.J. Tucker by exercising team options. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 3 June 2025

Universities doing research could attract and retain the best talent, which wouldn’t be satisfied just teaching undergraduates. —Allison Schrager, Twin Cities, 3 June 2025

According to the California Library Association, summer reading programs help children and teens retain and enhance their reading skills over the summer and benefit adults by stimulating the brain, increasing vocabulary and sparking imagination. —Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 3 June 2025

Employers must retain personnel records and ADS data, including inputs, outputs, and data used to develop or customize the system, for at least four years. —Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025