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

The 100% cotton set, made in Italy, is slightly softer than your typical percale, while retaining the crisp, cool feel that makes the material a perennial favorite. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026

Paraphrasing typically restates the original information in more relevant language while retaining key ideas. — Ethan Stone, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Although Siebert had not responded to the Statesman at the time of publication, Boise State Athletics spokesperson Chris Kutz confirmed that students worked on the trophy in 2022 to add the latest plaque while retaining the trophy’s history. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2026

The commercial project represents a substantial increase in scale from that demonstration, while retaining the same basic combination of solar generation and battery storage. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Eighty-three percent are focused on retaining and retraining high-potential talent, up from 75%. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026

That could put a chill in Collins’s reelection odds — and thus, the GOP’s hopes of retaining Senate control. — Eric Levitz, Vox, 15 Oct. 2026

Emory's investments support recruiting and retaining AI experts, health care innovation and applications in medicine, business, law, the humanities and ethics. — Leondra Head, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

The Astros are retaining pitching coach Josh Miller, first base coach Dave Clark, major league field coordinator Jason Bell, hitting coach Victor Rodriguez and longtime bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026