RETAINER Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

retainer

noun

ri-ˈtā-nər

Definition of retainer

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

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 Do the Blue Jackets have a sports psychologist on staff or on retainer? — Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 5 June 2026 Fee-only compensation can take a number of forms, including hourly, retainer or flat fees or a percentage of assets the advisor manages for the client. — Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2026 People have retainers for their lawyers. — Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 21 May 2026 Most firms require a retainer fee of several thousand dollars, as well as monthly payments. — Brian Sloan, CNBC, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for retainer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retainer

Noun

Bos, in a far cry from his cerebral Hamlet, embraces the physical comedy of dual supporting roles, the Jeeves-like butler Lane and the Cockney servant Merriman.

— Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
Yet his truest education came from the palace sweepers—the humble monk-servants who raised him.

— Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026

Definition of servant

Noun

Even actors whose roles have limited scope, like Zendaya, Nyong’o, Hawkins and Mia Goth as Penelope’s duplicitous maid, register as vital presences.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
This British drama series follows a woman named Emma over the course of more than six decades of her life, from the 1900s through the 1970s, working her way from impoverished maid to the world’s richest woman.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026

Definition of maid

Noun

Buses come and go, bearing workers from all over the country.

— Cristina Dorador, The Dial, 14 July 2026
Childs has been running Bectu, which represents the interests of behind-the-camera workers across TV, film and theater, since 2018, overseeing 10,000 new subscribers and an expansion into areas like live events and fashion.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 14 July 2026

Definition of worker

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retained

retainer

retainers

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Style

“Retainer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retainer. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of retainer

noun

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