retainer

noun

ri-ˈtā-nər How to pronounce retainer (audio)
Definition of retainernext
1
as in servant
a person hired to perform household or personal services knights being dressed for battle by their retainers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in employee
one who works for another for wages or a salary lifelong civil service retainers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 retainer An agency should not accept any retainers unless they are paid for achieving certain results rather than deliverables. — Tyler Dykstra, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 To conceal the scheme and hide the bribes, prosecutors say, Zhu entered into a sham retainer agreement with Carone’s younger brother, Anthony Carone, 54, who is alleged to have laundered the payments through his law firm. — Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 2 July 2026 But, shoppers without a glam team on retainer are impressed, too. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 25 June 2026 Gold acts more as a retainer of wealth, not a vehicle for serious growth or profits. — Aly J Yale, CBS News, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for retainer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retainer
  1. servant
  2. employee
  3. maid
  4. worker
Noun
  • According to court records, prosecutors charged Ncube with one count of commercial bribery and one count of embezzlement by a clerk or agent or servant exceeding $950 in value.
    — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • But the public servant’s employer rejected their application to travel abroad.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of servant
Noun
  • If a foreign state treated these law enforcement operations as armed conflict, the private sector employees running them would not be combatants under international law and would not have POW or other protections.
    — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Fuller is nearly six months into the new position, created as Texas faces growing scrutiny over how school districts handle allegations involving teachers, coaches, and other school employees.
    — Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of employee
Noun
  • Sullivan was an Irish immigrant who had been working as a maid for the Bordens for more than two years.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) Communications via AP Hines stabbed Jenkins to death while the 54-year-old was working as a motel maid in Kingston Springs.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of maid
Noun
  • But that constant movement is also making Ebola harder to contain, complicating efforts to find infected people and trace those who may have been exposed, said Mari Ndika, an Ebola response worker involved in disease monitoring.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Entry-level workers feel more pressure The effects appear to be more pronounced for those looking to start their careers.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of worker

Browse Nearby Words

retained
retainer
retainers
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Cite this Entry

“Retainer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retainer. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on retainer

Nglish: Translation of retainer for Spanish Speakers

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