as in retention
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 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
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Microsoft then licensed this operating system to IBM as PC-DOS while retaining the ability to sell the operating system to other companies.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026
That grid storage unit carries an energy density of around 160 Wh/kg, a system energy conversion efficiency of 97%, and a cycle life of over 15,000 charge-discharge cycles while retaining 80% capacity.
—Omar Kardoudi
april 28, New Atlas, 28 Apr. 2026
The Athletic has reported that Barca’s interest in retaining Rashford after his loan spell ends this summer has cooled.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Hegseth’s career depends on retaining the president’s support at all costs.
—Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Avoid areas prone to water-logging and retaining moisture, such as low spots in your landscape or heavy clay soils.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 27 Apr. 2026
Parboiling rice removes even more arsenic—up to 73 percent—while retaining more nutrients than other methods.
—Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026
His fund has posted disappointing returns and the high costs of retaining talent and building out necessary infrastructure made continuing the firm too difficult, Sandler wrote.
—Hema Parmar, Fortune, 24 Apr. 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
This hat comes in multiple sizes and colors and can fold up nicely when packed in a suitcase, retaining its shape afterward.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Microsoft then licensed this operating system to IBM as PC-DOS while retaining the ability to sell the operating system to other companies.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026
That grid storage unit carries an energy density of around 160 Wh/kg, a system energy conversion efficiency of 97%, and a cycle life of over 15,000 charge-discharge cycles while retaining 80% capacity.
—Omar Kardoudi
april 28, New Atlas, 28 Apr. 2026
The Athletic has reported that Barca’s interest in retaining Rashford after his loan spell ends this summer has cooled.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Hegseth’s career depends on retaining the president’s support at all costs.
—Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Avoid areas prone to water-logging and retaining moisture, such as low spots in your landscape or heavy clay soils.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 27 Apr. 2026
Parboiling rice removes even more arsenic—up to 73 percent—while retaining more nutrients than other methods.
—Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026
His fund has posted disappointing returns and the high costs of retaining talent and building out necessary infrastructure made continuing the firm too difficult, Sandler wrote.
—Hema Parmar, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaining
Noun
-
According to the evaluation, 83% of participants receiving housing subsidies remained housed after one year, exceeding the program’s retention goal, while 56% of 460 participants studied obtained subsidies and secured housing.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
But while Western knives tend to prioritize durability, many Japanese knife steels prioritize high carbon content for better sharpness and edge retention.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Additionally, security expert Jeff Ketelaars recommends keeping a personal alarm on hand (available at stores that sell self-defense items).—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
1 May 2026
-
Newman suggests keeping a bladder diary for one to three days.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The ship is associated with Mordashov, a Russian billionaire and owner of steel magnate Severstal, with shipping records showing Mordashov’s wife Marina Mordashova, owning the vessel for a brief window in 2022.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Stars are expected to follow the same game plan executed by the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers; move into a new venue, and create new revenue by owning the surrounding properties, too.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Saint Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury is employing a PCR thermocycler that cuts the time to get a diagnosis from days to just merely hours.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
-
If tax records and documents do not add up, employers and employees may be arrested and detained as investigators sort out who is illegally present in the United States or illegally employing workers.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic stay the coolest in the East, with New England dipping into the upper 20s to mid-30s and the Mid-Atlantic holding in the mid-30s to mid-40s.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
At least one artwork from Newhouse’s holdings has gone on to global fame.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His work focuses on preserving stories of war and conflict, past and present.—
Benjamin Mack-Jackson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Given the importance of preserving relations with the FCC, which has a say over a range of local station matters and must approve any mergers involving the transfer of broadcast licenses, LeGeyt has deliberately avoided a direct clash with his Washington counterpart.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Though signs of its impending closure were all around this past weekend, the New Black Wall Street Market was having one last hurrah.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Prosecutors say Maduro and Rodriguez authorized a series of payments totaling $20 million under terms of the PDV USA contract before having a falling out with Rivera’s group by the end of 2017.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of hiring actors and scouting locations in which to shoot, Pau began to repurpose the footage she and other members of Videotage shot of Zuni Icosahedron’s live performances as the basis for her own creative work.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
To manage those rising costs last year, San Jose partially froze hiring and reduced some city services.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaining. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
