Synonyms of retaining

retaining 1 of 2

noun

as in retention

Related Words

• retention
• holding
• keeping
• possession
• hands
• control
• support
• custody
• maintenance
• enjoyment
• conservation
• safekeeping
• ownership
• care
• proprietorship
• claiming
• power
• mastery
• procurement
• repossession
• dominion
• confiscation
• authority
• command
• commandeering
• collaring

Dissimilar Words

• relinquishment
• surrendering
• dispossession
• transferal
• nonpossession

retaining

2 of 2

verb

present participle of retain

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• keeping
• holding
• preserving
• possessing
• saving
• having
• reserving
• withholding
• protecting
• conserving
• enjoying
• guarding
• owning
• holding on to
• managing
• controlling
• hanging on to
• boasting
• directing
• commanding
• ruling
• harboring
• detaining
• hugging
• clinging (to)
• cherishing
• bearing
• treasuring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• yielding
• relinquishing
• releasing
• surrendering
• abandoning
• giving
• dropping
• contributing
• giving up
• dumping
• donating
• discarding
• losing
• ceding
• declining
• rejecting
• handing over
• handing out
• repudiating
• spurning

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• owning
• having
• possessing
• enjoying
• holding
• keeping
• commanding
• reserving
• withholding
• carrying
• rejoicing in
• bearing
• boasting
• sporting
• showing off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lacking
• wanting
• abandoning
• relinquishing
• yielding
• renouncing
• dumping
• surrendering
• discarding
• ceding
• requiring
• rejecting
• declining
• handing over
• disclaiming
• needing
• disowning
• repudiating
• spurning

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• employing
• hiring
• recruiting
• engaging
• placing
• paying
• enlisting
• assuming
• signing (up or on)
• feeing
• taking on
• laying on
• promoting
• jobbing
• upgrading
• partnering
• contracting
• rehiring
• reengaging
• subcontracting
• reemploying
• advancing
• keeping (on)
• scouting
• apprenticing
• headhunting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dismissing
• discharging
• firing
• sacking
• canning
• axing
• laying off
• locking out
• furloughing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of retaining

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

These connections may experience interference or dropouts independently of the control link, meaning a pilot can sometimes lose the camera feed while retaining control of the aircraft. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026

Airlines and aircraft operators will be responsible for collecting and retaining each person’s attestation, which must be obtained prior to boarding. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2026

Her campaign emphasized recruiting and retaining quality teachers, improving communication and promoting school safety. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

And after a series of Democratic victories in states that the president won handily in 2024, retaining the seat in Nebraska comes as a relief to the GOP. — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Advertisement Article continues below this ad Voting returns showed Democrats flipping the Texas House but Republicans retaining control of the Texas Senate. — Samantha Ketterer, Austin American Statesman, 4 Nov. 2026

On the other hand, if Republicans end up retaining both chambers of Congress, that could spur a rally, said Sameer Samana, head of global equities and real assets at the Wells Fargo Investment Institute. — Sean Conlon, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026

On September 19, Miller’s forecast gave the Republicans an almost 36% chance of retaining control of the upper chamber. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Electrons in a superconductor glide through without resistance, retaining far more of their energy. — Sven Badoux, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026