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
Relevance
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
as in retention
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of retaining
Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Andy Jones, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The indictment charges Bolton with eight counts of transmitting national defense information and 10 counts of unlawfully retaining such information.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
There is immense interest in manipulating these phase transformations and retaining superior electro-optic properties down to liquid helium temperature, according to the study published in Advanced Materials.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
The commutation does not erase his conviction but reduces the punishment, allowing Santos to walk free while retaining a criminal record.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Valuing staff with competitive rates means retaining high quality staff with deep knowledge of and commitment to our community.
—Pioneer Press Elections Team, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
The manpower shortages compelled the War Department not only to rethink its policy of barring Black GIs from combat, but to cut back the number of servicemen stationed stateside, retaining only those disqualified for overseas duty by age or physical condition.
—Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
Whether the move is about Netflix’s push into ads, gaining a better foothold locally or retaining subscribers — or all three — is yet to be discovered.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
Yossi Kuperwasser, head of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, said retaining control of the Philadelphi Corridor will make rearmament harder — though not impossible — as humanitarian aid flows into Gaza.
—Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
Lynch retaining seems likely, but Bella’s presence brings nostalgia and star power for the international audience.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
There have also been difficulties for the front three in holding the ball up or retaining possession.
—Andy Jones, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The indictment charges Bolton with eight counts of transmitting national defense information and 10 counts of unlawfully retaining such information.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
There is immense interest in manipulating these phase transformations and retaining superior electro-optic properties down to liquid helium temperature, according to the study published in Advanced Materials.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
The commutation does not erase his conviction but reduces the punishment, allowing Santos to walk free while retaining a criminal record.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Valuing staff with competitive rates means retaining high quality staff with deep knowledge of and commitment to our community.
—Pioneer Press Elections Team, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
The manpower shortages compelled the War Department not only to rethink its policy of barring Black GIs from combat, but to cut back the number of servicemen stationed stateside, retaining only those disqualified for overseas duty by age or physical condition.
—Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
Whether the move is about Netflix’s push into ads, gaining a better foothold locally or retaining subscribers — or all three — is yet to be discovered.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
Yossi Kuperwasser, head of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, said retaining control of the Philadelphi Corridor will make rearmament harder — though not impossible — as humanitarian aid flows into Gaza.
—Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaining
Verb
-
But while prosecutors and law enforcement continue doing the hard work of keeping Orange County safe, the County CEO appears intent on undermining that success.—
Todd Spitzer,
Oc Register,
19 Oct. 2025
-
The rain was steady, as was the traffic, but everyone was also keeping an eye out for a junkie on a bender.—
Joe Dwinell,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Team Sales The economics of owning an NBA team have evolved significantly over the past 15 years, thanks to multiple rounds of more owner-friendly collective bargaining agreements and revenue growth via media, sponsorships and ticketing.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
16 Oct. 2025
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Detectives opened an investigation, identified the suspect and discovered he was barred from owning guns, Shih said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Alfred Hitchcock crafted the perfect horror movie with Psycho, employing clever camera tricks and a wonderfully disquieting performance from Anthony Perkins to iconic effect.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Both backs seemed excited about employing more pony looks.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The salt in your food can increase fluid retention in your kidneys, potentially leading to elevated blood pressure,’’ said Pianko.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
20 Oct. 2025
-
As per a press release, construction work began in the fall of 2024 to build a stormwater retention basin in the northeast of Wolkertshofen.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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One of his innovations in the new space is Fresh Out of the Box, a shelf holding books that are newly unboxed without anyone knowing the contents.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
20 Oct. 2025
-
In a struggle that eventually leads to Jayson holding Maeve hostage outside, Grasso musters strength and shoots Jayson in the head, in a small act of vengeance for Lizzie.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There is a specific kind of yearning involved in having a crush, one that feels intense, yet is for the most part harmless fun; still, as people grow older the frequency of such infatuations often decreases.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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Fans will know instantly that this child grows up to be renowned composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, and Linklater leans into that, having the pre-teenage Sondheim criticize Hart's writing.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The union is striking for higher wages and benefits and hiring more employees to fill staffing shortages.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
19 Oct. 2025
-
And when eight teams are in the process of hiring a manager, there are only so many qualified candidates to go around.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Commanders were forced to punt on the ensuing possession after the touchdown, and the Bears got the ball back but went three-and-out, giving it right back to the Commanders.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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Rates in major cities like Milan, Paris and New York are at all-time highs, and guests are increasingly prioritizing experiences over possessions.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaining. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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