1
as in servant
a person hired to perform household or personal services
knights being dressed for battle by their retainers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of retainer
Domestically, Roosevelt’s progressive reforms—breaking up dozens of monopolies, modifying railroad rates, setting aside public lands for conservation—cut against the long run of industrial oligarchy enjoyed by assorted oil, timber, and coal kings in collusion with their congressional retainers.
—
Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Fresh piercings shouldn't be taken in and out, but if emergencies come up, your piercer can safely place a special retainer to prevent the skin from closing up, says Ellis.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
With a retainer fee of $9,000 and investigations that can cost $50,000, Settles says his services often cost more than an attorney.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 7 Dec. 2025
If contractors aren't called out, the city must still pay annual retainer fees of about $130,000.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retainer
Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Fresh piercings shouldn't be taken in and out, but if emergencies come up, your piercer can safely place a special retainer to prevent the skin from closing up, says Ellis.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
With a retainer fee of $9,000 and investigations that can cost $50,000, Settles says his services often cost more than an attorney.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 7 Dec. 2025
If contractors aren't called out, the city must still pay annual retainer fees of about $130,000.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retainer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retainer
Noun
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That might have been intentional since at one time families of the employees in those houses lived on the grounds of the prison, often with prisoners working as house servants to the families.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Brighton & Hove Albion have added All Blacks rugby union servant Mike Anthony to their backroom staff.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Prior to the 2023 assault, the lawsuit said, Hopkinton police reportedly received several complaints from female employees at Sismanis’ business regarding his conduct.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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On the sixth day of the new year, normally a bleakly depressing time for corporate employees, Enhypen had a treat in store for their fans.—
Irene Kim,
Vogue,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Liongate just greenlit a sequel film based on the second book in Freida McFadden’s trilogy series, The Housemaid’s Secret, with Sydney Sweeney returning as the devious maid, Millie Calloway.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
7 Jan. 2026
-
My poor mother had to work as a maid in the village.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The project will serve as a pilot for the city’s Project Labor Agreement ordinance, with most construction performed by union workers.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
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The train had been carrying mostly students and workers traveling to school and work in other districts when the incident unfolded, BBC Thai stated.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retainer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retainer. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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