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
Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Thomson, who was born in Ontario, Canada, played for the University of Kansas Jayhawks in the 1980s, leading the team in hits in the 1984 and 1985 seasons and retaining the school’s record for the highest single-season batting average.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 28 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
In the 2027 draft budget released by the city this month, the Police Department’s top two priorities were recruiting and retaining employees, and improving response times.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
All was brought up to date while retaining artistic integrity.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
Price reductions will be the best means of retaining fans, even if that damages the bottom line.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 21 May 2026
There appears to be no rule of constitutional or legal interpretation here beyond what will aid the Republican Party in retaining its congressional majorities—even if states have to violate the constitutional rights of American citizens to do so.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 19 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
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
Thomson, who was born in Ontario, Canada, played for the University of Kansas Jayhawks in the 1980s, leading the team in hits in the 1984 and 1985 seasons and retaining the school’s record for the highest single-season batting average.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 28 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
In the 2027 draft budget released by the city this month, the Police Department’s top two priorities were recruiting and retaining employees, and improving response times.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
All was brought up to date while retaining artistic integrity.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
Price reductions will be the best means of retaining fans, even if that damages the bottom line.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 21 May 2026
There appears to be no rule of constitutional or legal interpretation here beyond what will aid the Republican Party in retaining its congressional majorities—even if states have to violate the constitutional rights of American citizens to do so.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaining
Noun
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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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Taken together, the two measures highlight a growing tension in a state that prides itself on stewardship of the environment, as policymakers aim to protect threatened or endangered animals while also keeping people, pets and livestock safe.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
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Studies found little real difference, but the new patent was an effective tool for keeping generics at bay and continuing to collect monopoly profits.—
Wayne T Brough,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
Verb
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For much of the 2020s, owning a home has felt like an automatic wealth generator for many American households.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
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That company is listed on the Tarrant County property tax roll as owning a property in Mansfield.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
Verb
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This idea contrasts with the notion that AI could be a money-saver as opposed to employing a legion of human staffers, who come with costly salaries, benefits, and PTO.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
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Construction projects like Hudson Yards, are massive, multi-billion $, decade-long initiatives, employing hundreds of companies and thousands of people.—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Investors pared holdings of artificial intelligence stocks amid concerns that the sector's extended rally is bound to slow.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
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When leveraged traders betting on higher prices are forced out of their positions, exchanges automatically sell their holdings to cover losses.—
Tanaya Macheel,
CNBC,
4 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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The marker honoring Rush is the first planned for the Arkansas River Delta Blues Trail, which is a project of Arkansas Originals, a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating and preserving people, places and cultural traditions in the Natural State.—
Sean Clancy,
Arkansas Online,
4 June 2026
Verb
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But during the commonwealth’s rebuttal case, his then-acting supervisor denied having plans to meet with Banfield that day and said his other managers were out of town.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
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One thing, too, that Sara and I talked about early on was having the crew and the musicians eat lunch together every day.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
4 June 2026
Verb
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When Tracy was elevated from Triple-A to the big leagues Breslow didn’t rule out hiring a permanent manager midseason.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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The airline has been hiring crew members from the defunct Spirit Airlines and expanding its pilot base at FLL.—
Jeff Kleinman,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaining. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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