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
-
Collard Greens Research on the nutritional composition of collard greens indicates that chlorophyll retention in collard greens is notably high.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
5 June 2026
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The letter highlights critical questions regarding standards of care, medical evacuation capabilities, responder recruitment and retention, patient rights, and the potential diversion of resources from controlling outbreaks at their source.—
Krutika Kuppalli,
STAT,
5 June 2026
Verb
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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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San Antonio started this game red-hot, owning an 11-point lead after the first quarter, 33-22.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
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For too many, the dream of owning or renting a first home in New York is unattainable.—
Micah Lasher,
New York Daily News,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The show also includes looks that are really about preserving the performer’s face and employing subtle transformations via stubble or smaller prosthetic pieces.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
4 June 2026
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But luckily, Robert and Michelle King's The Good Wife spinoff is used to employing stage actors like Wendell Pierce, Carra Patterson, Christian Borle, Lindsay Mendez and Micaela Diamond.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Ultimately, Evans allegedly told the victims that their curse was tied to finances, and that the only way to remove the curse was to liquidate their holdings and send the money to her in cash or gold bars, according to court documents.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 June 2026
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Financial pros generally recommend keeping your gold holdings to around five to 10% of your portfolio, maximum.—
Aly J Yale,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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However, the environment in northwest Scotland is more conducive to preserving bone from that period.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
11 June 2026
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The investors are looking at what could emerge on a small section of the IBM Almaden Research Center site while preserving as open space several hundred adjoining acres on the property, which is at 650 Harry Road in south San Jose, city files show.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Before Mexico-South Africa kicks off here in a few minutes, FIFA is marching in all 48 flags for the countries participating in the tournament and having the flag-bearers stand in a circle at midfield.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
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The genre by definition requires re-enactments, and does the act of gathering a bunch actors and going to Tehran (or Morocco) give more credibility to the project than having a computer do it?—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Advertisement Hancock had interacted with Parker professionally, hiring her for photography work.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
12 June 2026
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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 13 Jun. 2026.
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