as in retention
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1
as in keeping
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
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2
as in owning
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
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3
as in employing
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
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Recent Examples of retaining
Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2026
The fabric is the smooth, soft feel that Lululemon is famous for, while still being breathable, sweat-wicking, and shape-retaining.
—Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Apr. 2026
But we’re invited to see him as, despite these foibles, amusing and retaining, and his cynicism about everything and his lack of moral scruple is—actually, we’re invited to see this as a kind of higher wisdom.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Lynch retaining seems likely, but Bella’s presence brings nostalgia and star power for the international audience.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Dr. Adil Dalal, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
According to Higgins, many over-the-counter products can cause or worsen high blood pressure by constricting your blood vessels or retaining water in your body.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 11 June 2026
Should the Heat, for example, deal for Antetokounmpo, such a transaction could come at the cost of several prospects from the Heat’s developmental pipeline, potentially putting more of a priority on retaining Johnson.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2026
Speaking to Variety, Elisha Karmitz said the crowdfunding initiative is meant to involve audiences more directly in the future growth of MK2 while retaining full control over editorial strategy and preserving its family ownership.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 June 2026
But Trump’s comments on inflation come as his fellow Republicans fear that consumer angst over rising prices will hurt the chances of GOP lawmakers retaining their slim majorities in both chambers of Congress in November’s elections.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 10 June 2026
Clean streets, safe neighborhoods, reliable infrastructure, and vibrant commercial corridors are essential to attracting and retaining talent and businesses.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Most of Orlando’s constellation remains intact, with Camille, Kadence, Ômo by Jônt, Soseki and Victoria & Albert’s retaining their one-star distinction and Sorekara retaining its two stars.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026
With his balance of experience while retaining newcomer status, Splitter could be an ideal candidate for a Bulls team ready to build around young talent.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Noun
Older people have a harder time producing, retaining, and circulating body heat.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2026
The fabric is the smooth, soft feel that Lululemon is famous for, while still being breathable, sweat-wicking, and shape-retaining.
—Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Apr. 2026
But we’re invited to see him as, despite these foibles, amusing and retaining, and his cynicism about everything and his lack of moral scruple is—actually, we’re invited to see this as a kind of higher wisdom.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Lynch retaining seems likely, but Bella’s presence brings nostalgia and star power for the international audience.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
The leader sets direction, delegates while retaining accountability, builds teams and achieves results through people.
—Dr. Adil Dalal, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
According to Higgins, many over-the-counter products can cause or worsen high blood pressure by constricting your blood vessels or retaining water in your body.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 11 June 2026
Should the Heat, for example, deal for Antetokounmpo, such a transaction could come at the cost of several prospects from the Heat’s developmental pipeline, potentially putting more of a priority on retaining Johnson.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2026
Speaking to Variety, Elisha Karmitz said the crowdfunding initiative is meant to involve audiences more directly in the future growth of MK2 while retaining full control over editorial strategy and preserving its family ownership.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 June 2026
But Trump’s comments on inflation come as his fellow Republicans fear that consumer angst over rising prices will hurt the chances of GOP lawmakers retaining their slim majorities in both chambers of Congress in November’s elections.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 10 June 2026
Clean streets, safe neighborhoods, reliable infrastructure, and vibrant commercial corridors are essential to attracting and retaining talent and businesses.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Most of Orlando’s constellation remains intact, with Camille, Kadence, Ômo by Jônt, Soseki and Victoria & Albert’s retaining their one-star distinction and Sorekara retaining its two stars.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026
With his balance of experience while retaining newcomer status, Splitter could be an ideal candidate for a Bulls team ready to build around young talent.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaining
Noun
-
Apple's Portfolio Emphasises Luxury iPhone Margins Apple’s portfolio strategy emphasises mass market retention with a steady price, while extracting the maximum value from the luxury consumer segment.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
Incorporating compost into the soil each season can also provide a slow, steady source of nutrients while improving soil structure and moisture retention.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Ebola is transmitted from certain animal species like bats and primates, and while the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda is concerning, health officials there are exit-screening people leaving those countries in hopes of keeping the virus contained.—
Alice Park,
Time,
12 June 2026
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But librarians and educators stress that what’s more important than matters of taste is keeping kids conditioned to reading at a crucial developmental moment.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
Verb
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To be eligible for homes, applicants must meet certain criteria, including not owning a home and having a minimum household income of $42,000.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
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In the 20th and early 21st centuries, that meant owning a broadcast network (like Fox) or cable channels (Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, and pre-Disney sell-off FX).—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Throughout his career, the multidisciplinary artist experimented with various mediums, ranging from painting and photography to assemblages, even employing digital technologies like the iPad.—
Annabelle Dufraigne,
Architectural Digest,
12 June 2026
-
Zoli’s lofty warehouse space continues Amant’s design sensibility, employing and elevating simple materials like concrete, brick, and wood, which, says Ebers, are visually warm and acoustically beneficial (a boon nowadays when having a conversation in a restaurant can be increasingly challenging).—
Fiorella Valdesolo,
Vogue,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
The Hotchkis family has been downsizing its real estate holdings over the past year.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
18 June 2026
-
State media reported earlier this month that some executives and major shareholders at A-share chipmakers — those traded on the mainland — have rushed to sell holdings this year to cash in on the AI rally.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Instead, those investigations are handled by an internal group of Air Force specialists tasked with collecting evidence, preserving it and interviewing witnesses.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
The chemists redesigned the MOF structure with atomic precision, tuning its desorption profile while preserving its stability and low-humidity adsorption.—
Dr. Samer Taha,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
And director Spike Lee was having the time of his life on top of a bus.—
Amina Kilpatrick,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
-
The decision set new limits on federal prosecution of gun owners who are targeted simply for having a history of drug use.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Advertisement Hancock had interacted with Parker professionally, hiring her for photography work.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
12 June 2026
-
One of the more interesting ways that the DGA sought to protect jobs for career directors was by establishing guidelines with the studios for hiring multi-hyphenates for a single project.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaining. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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