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
Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026
One study found that those who used ChatGPT retained significantly less than those who relied on traditional methods such as study groups.
—Catherine Thorbecke, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
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, 18 Apr. 2026
Watkins said the district has retained the University Search Team to assist the board.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
The Padres and boutique investment bank BDT & MSD, which was retained last November to explore a potential sale of the MLB club, declined to comment.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 16 Apr. 2026
That included a Heat bid to recast at midseason, with a trade proposal for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who ultimately was retained by the Milwaukee Bucks.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Most notably, the company retained MAGA influencer-lawyer Mike Davis, who also helped lobby the DOJ to drop its challenge to a $14 billion merger involving Hewlett Packard and Juniper Networks.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
Thousands of current Arkansas third graders are at risk of being retained under the law.
—Arkansas Online, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
The bats retained plenty of heat while in a cargo hold during the flight from the East Coast.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026
One study found that those who used ChatGPT retained significantly less than those who relied on traditional methods such as study groups.
—Catherine Thorbecke, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
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, 18 Apr. 2026
Watkins said the district has retained the University Search Team to assist the board.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
The Padres and boutique investment bank BDT & MSD, which was retained last November to explore a potential sale of the MLB club, declined to comment.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 16 Apr. 2026
That included a Heat bid to recast at midseason, with a trade proposal for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who ultimately was retained by the Milwaukee Bucks.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Most notably, the company retained MAGA influencer-lawyer Mike Davis, who also helped lobby the DOJ to drop its challenge to a $14 billion merger involving Hewlett Packard and Juniper Networks.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
Thousands of current Arkansas third graders are at risk of being retained under the law.
—Arkansas Online, 13 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retained
Adjective
-
In the Village Voice, where the Consumer Guide became one of the fabled alt-weekly’s go-to features from the ’70s through the ’90s, Christgau wrote like a possessed fan who breathed insight, making every capsule sound like a psychedelic sonnet.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
29 Mar. 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 breaks kept coming for Orlando.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Trump kept a straight face during Obama’s speech, and at one point even waved during the president’s remarks.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Iran has also conducted drone strikes that damaged data centers in the region that are owned by Amazon Web Services, which operates the world’s largest cloud platform—high-value targets with major financial and operational ramifications.—
Sue Halpern,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The property has been family owned for over a century and is ideal for multi-generational holidays or several couples traveling with kids.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The lawsuit, filed Monday in Cass County Circuit Court, accuses the furniture company of failing to conduct a thorough background check on Enrique Lopez-Martinez, who was employed by a flooring company NFM contracted with to do the removal of old carpeting and installation of new.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
-
But, as pointed out on Epicurious, the go-to website for foodies, the word elicits substantial reader backlash even when employed to describe chicken and cakes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
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When Izzo came to the plate, Evergreen Park coach Michelle Vucsko had to make a choice.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Gorka has denied belonging to the organization, which had Nazi ties during World War II, and said the medal honors his father’s escape from communism.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The industry first broke into my social circle, in Shanghai, in January, when a German filmmaker friend was hired to join a set in Xi’an, the ancient capital known for its terra-cotta warriors.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Connelly hired Booth away from Minnesota in 2017.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
More affordable housing is set to be preserved in Charlotte, thanks to a local fund that has almost doubled its spending ability fueled by private sector investments.—
Desiree Mathurin
April 24,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2026
-
While many of the building’s original features—including the soaring stucco ceilings decorated with a sun motif - have been preserved, the look and feel are more 21st-century magpie than slavish historical reverence.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retained. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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