1
as in kept
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in owned
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
as in employed
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retained
Chloe Albanesius, PC Magazine, 9 Mar. 2026
Funds advised by Permira, as well as other existing shareholders including Carlyle, retained a minority investment in the firm.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 9 Mar. 2026
But the team has continuity on that side of the ball from the previous coaching staff, as Bobby Slowik, previously senior passing game coordinator, was retained and promoted to offensive coordinator.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Texas retained its starting left tackle, Trevor Goosby, who came back to school despite being considered one of the best 10 NFL prospects at the position in this cycle by many draft experts.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
But in fuller identity-verification contexts, such as gaming and fraud prevention that require ID scans, certain adult verification records may be retained to document compliance.
—Barbara Booth, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
Wise’s wistful songwriting is retained, but completely missing is his intentionally impure palette.
—Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2026
Lebanon had once again been plunged into a war that had nothing to do with its national interests, by a militia group that has retained a private army and run its own foreign policy for decades.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
Britain retained the base, and another on Cyprus, after the eastern Mediterranean island gained independence from British colonial rule in 1960.
—Arkansas Online, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
Sites that fail to comply could face civil action from the parents of kids who viewed pornography or anyone whose data is unlawfully retained.
—Chloe Albanesius, PC Magazine, 9 Mar. 2026
Funds advised by Permira, as well as other existing shareholders including Carlyle, retained a minority investment in the firm.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 9 Mar. 2026
But the team has continuity on that side of the ball from the previous coaching staff, as Bobby Slowik, previously senior passing game coordinator, was retained and promoted to offensive coordinator.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Texas retained its starting left tackle, Trevor Goosby, who came back to school despite being considered one of the best 10 NFL prospects at the position in this cycle by many draft experts.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
But in fuller identity-verification contexts, such as gaming and fraud prevention that require ID scans, certain adult verification records may be retained to document compliance.
—Barbara Booth, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
Wise’s wistful songwriting is retained, but completely missing is his intentionally impure palette.
—Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2026
Lebanon had once again been plunged into a war that had nothing to do with its national interests, by a militia group that has retained a private army and run its own foreign policy for decades.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
Britain retained the base, and another on Cyprus, after the eastern Mediterranean island gained independence from British colonial rule in 1960.
—Arkansas Online, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retained
Adjective
-
The story begins with two teens fleeing into the night where one is killed by her possessed mother.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
-
David Dastmalchian stars as Jack Delroy, an opportunistic host who invites a possessed girl and a child psychologist as his guests for the night in a desperate bid for ratings.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The average stay there is only nine days, according to ICE data, but some detainees have been kept for months amid court cases or logistical issues related to deportation.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The third-year swingman hasn’t totaled less than 17 points in his last eight games and kept the fireworks going against the Heat.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There are also high-street shops like Zara and Mango on your doorstep, as well as independent local stalwarts like Can Vinyes, one of the oldest handmade basket shops on the island, owned by a tiny old couple.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
-
In January, Polymarket, Kalshi’s main rival, went all in on the Golden Globes (which is owned by Penske Media Corporation, which also owns Variety).—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Last year, Haiti's government created a new task force that has operated outside the oversight of Haiti's National Police and employed the use of explosive drones.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Kirk lost the certification required to serve as a state peace officer but was still employed by the Sheriff’s Department until last month.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Noah Everly had a home run and three RBIs.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Cooper, who had five sacks among 41 tackles last season, played inside and outside for the Toreros.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That breakthrough propelled Anderson to Iona, which hired him in March 2023 to replace Rick Pitino.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
And after Sialelli left in April 2023, Shukla hired Peter Copping as artistic director in June 2024, a seasoned designer known for his feminine creations, notably as creative director of Nina Ricci and Oscar de la Renta.—
Laure Guilbault,
Vogue,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Plus, there are five historic tea houses preserved in a large Japanese garden.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
-
That these subjects are placed before a camera is certainly important, but that’s only the first step to ensuring their stories are told, and preserved, with the requisite care.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retained. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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