retain

1
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of retain The hydrogen is retained for the fuel synthesis process, while the oxygen is safely released into the environment. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2025 On the other hand, some drivers may avoid vehicles that rapidly depreciate to retain some trade-in value or sell their cars later on. Charles Singh, USA Today, 14 June 2025 As for the secondary, the Eagles didn't retain a handful of names. Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025 After nearly 90 years, the home retains its original layout, according to Brown and Elliot. David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for retain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retain
Verb
  • Many kids want to keep playing at the park or in the pool, totally oblivious to the fact that their parents are desperate to sit in front of the AC for a few minutes.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 27 June 2025
  • So, for example, if the merchant was charged $10 less, the processor would keep $5 to $8 and pass the rest to the merchant.
    Robert Day, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Matt Dillon, Bret Maverick, Ben Cartwright and the Virginian all have a new place to hang their Stetsons.
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 17 June 2025
  • However, it was noted that the victim had a low resting heart rate, dental phobia and had a history of fainting, which the complaint said Watkins did not investigate or document.
    Stepheny Price , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • Hospital heals, and also employs With 750 workers, the hospital is the valley's largest employer.
    John Daley, NPR, 22 June 2025
  • Under federal law, a business can face sanctions for knowingly hiring and employing unauthorized workers.
    Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • GoTo also holds a 22% stake in Bank Jago, an Indonesian digital bank.
    Lionel Lim, Fortune, 22 June 2025
  • Plus How to Install One to Support Pollinators 10 Plants to Grow with Zinnias for a Pollinator Friendly Garden Bee Cups: A Pollination Innovation Among the innovations gaining attention are Bee Cups: Handmade mini porcelain containers that hold a teaspoon of water for pollinators.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • How naive of me to expect that those in the public eye would at least pretend to possess tact, diplomacy, magnanimity and graciousness rather than bark and growl like an angry pit bull on a thick clanking chain.
    Louis Balsamo, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2025
  • The 6’4 guard possesses elite athleticism to complement his high-level defensive effort and blossoming three-point shot making.
    Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a once-promising driver who is recruited to help his friend and former driver, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), who is in danger of being ousted by the board of his racing team.
    Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 26 June 2025
  • The researchers recruited 34 adults who’d had chronic, nonspecific LBP for more than three months and randomly divided them into two groups.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • For Anthropic, the faster speed and lower cost of the destructive process appear to have trumped any need for preserving the physical books themselves.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 25 June 2025
  • That principle has served the UK’s economy and culture for over 300 years, evolving through numerous updates, including international agreements, and adapting to new technologies while preserving its core spirit.
    Virginie Berger, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • A good deal of American infrastructure is owned by private companies with little incentive to undertake the difficult and costly fixes that might defend against Chinese infiltration.
    Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 19 June 2025
  • The Ducks own nine picks across seven rounds, including two selections in both the fourth and fifth rounds.
    Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Retain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retain. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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