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
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
Pack a blanket or a warm outer layer Older people have a harder time producing, retaining, and circulating body heat.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 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
Eric Stephens, New York Times, 15 May 2026
This strategy allows investors to collect premium income while retaining a window for capital appreciation, a necessary feature when a stock exhibits the fundamental and technical strength currently seen in XOM.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Following complete transformation the property re-opened in 2025, retaining the scale and beauty of the original Art Deco architecture reimagined with fresh contemporary furnishings that pay homage to the original Waldorf Astoria New York while ushering in a new era for the hotel.
—Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Despite being in one of the city’s more tony neighborhoods, The Modernist feels pleasantly relaxed whilst retaining a low-key buzz; enough happening, but by no means a party place.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
Re-build the agency by hiring and retaining great people.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Mulch is attractive to termites because of its moisture-retaining properties and its protection against temperature extremes.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 14 May 2026
This includes retaining at least 165 of the 177 tuition contracts that have already been signed by families as of April 27 for the 2026-27 academic year.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
That’s why the Bulldogs placed a premium on retaining key players, including Elijah Griffin, Nate Frazier and KJ Bolden.
—Connor Riley, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
Noun
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
Pack a blanket or a warm outer layer Older people have a harder time producing, retaining, and circulating body heat.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 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
Decisions must be made about retaining potential UFA blueliners Trouba, Gudas and John Carlson.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 15 May 2026
This strategy allows investors to collect premium income while retaining a window for capital appreciation, a necessary feature when a stock exhibits the fundamental and technical strength currently seen in XOM.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Following complete transformation the property re-opened in 2025, retaining the scale and beauty of the original Art Deco architecture reimagined with fresh contemporary furnishings that pay homage to the original Waldorf Astoria New York while ushering in a new era for the hotel.
—Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Despite being in one of the city’s more tony neighborhoods, The Modernist feels pleasantly relaxed whilst retaining a low-key buzz; enough happening, but by no means a party place.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
Re-build the agency by hiring and retaining great people.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Mulch is attractive to termites because of its moisture-retaining properties and its protection against temperature extremes.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 14 May 2026
This includes retaining at least 165 of the 177 tuition contracts that have already been signed by families as of April 27 for the 2026-27 academic year.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
That’s why the Bulldogs placed a premium on retaining key players, including Elijah Griffin, Nate Frazier and KJ Bolden.
—Connor Riley, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaining
Noun
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Engagement metrics such as retention also remain at a high level.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
The law limits how police can share plate data with out-of-state agencies, adds data retention rules and prohibits use of the systems for immigration enforcement.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Though the couple hasn't commented publicly on their relationship, and Foxx has been candid about keeping his relationships out of the spotlight in the past, Huckstepp has supported Foxx at a number of events.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
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The nonprofit’s statement did not reference the permitting process, but highlighted the importance of keeping the event running for the LGBTQ+ community.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
Verb
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While Miller and his colleagues note in their study that past efforts to convince gun-owning households with kids to safely store their firearms haven't succeeded, Sathya sees reasons to be optimistic in his own health system.—
Rhitu Chatterjee,
NPR,
12 May 2026
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Said also faces charges in Hennepin County — one count of first-degree assault, one count of second-degree assault and one count of owning a machine gun — in connection to the shooting.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Militant Islamist groups, such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and ISIS, have demonstrated increasing sophistication in their use of UAVs, employing them not only for reconnaissance but also for complex attack operations.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
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However, a different metric from ADP that tracks slightly larger businesses (those employing between one and 19 people) finds an increase of 526,000 jobs last year.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
Noun
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The low-hanging fruit is improving the performance of BRK’s core holdings, and maybe even shedding companies that shouldn’t be in the BRK portfolio.—
Vitaliy Katsenelson,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
-
The 45-day holding period applies to new purchases as well as reinvestments, which may limit the liquidity of your portfolio as a whole.—
Colin Dodds,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Gary Stern, who served as general counsel of the National Archives for twenty-six years, collaborated with five Administrations—from Bill Clinton’s to Joe Biden’s—on preserving and releasing Presidential records.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
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According to project materials, his approach focuses on preserving the relationship between the centuries-old timber structure and the surrounding natural landscape through the use of light, shadow, wood, and stone.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
14 May 2026
Verb
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More about Richard Glossip's case Glossip is accused of having his boss, Barry Van Treese, an Oklahoma City motel owner, killed in 1997 to keep from being fired for embezzlement.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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The Giants’ defense will feel the sting of not having Dexter Lawrence in the middle anymore during this one.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
Verb
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But in hiring the three-time Stanley Cup winner, the Ducks earned credibility in terms of coaching acumen and became an attraction for players.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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Notably absent from the SEC’s motion to freeze Kapoor’s assets and its civil complaint was any mention of his hiring Suarez as a consultant for URBIN while the Location Ventures affiliate was seeking approval from City Hall for a residential and retail project at Commodore Plaza in Coconut Grove.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaining. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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