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
Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Denver’s had an active offseason at ILB, retaining Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, releasing Dre Greenlaw and now moving Jonah Elliss inside.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
Alvarez was rested completely for Saturday’s game between Atletico and Barca in Madrid, which the visitors won 2-1 to take a big step towards retaining their La Liga title.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Blue Diamond still plans to sell a large portion of the property, primarily on the south side of the campus, while retaining the processing and storage facilities for in-shell almonds on the north side.
—Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026
The hotel opened in 1876 as The Oriental, and over time the property has expanded while retaining much of its original charm.
—Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 8 Apr. 2026
Iran is a relatively small nation, and by retaining control of the Strait of Hormuz, could signal to other countries there is a viable currency architecture outside the petrodollar.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
This panel explores why filmmakers and showrunners must think like entrepreneurs, retaining control and building lasting value from their work.
—Peter White, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
Reinsdorf confirmed that a primary focus for the team will be retaining the coach for the long-term.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 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
The Sparks extended qualifying offers to Rae Burrell, Julie Vanloo and Alissa Pili this week, essentially retaining their rights.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Denver’s had an active offseason at ILB, retaining Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, releasing Dre Greenlaw and now moving Jonah Elliss inside.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
Alvarez was rested completely for Saturday’s game between Atletico and Barca in Madrid, which the visitors won 2-1 to take a big step towards retaining their La Liga title.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Blue Diamond still plans to sell a large portion of the property, primarily on the south side of the campus, while retaining the processing and storage facilities for in-shell almonds on the north side.
—Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026
The hotel opened in 1876 as The Oriental, and over time the property has expanded while retaining much of its original charm.
—Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 8 Apr. 2026
Iran is a relatively small nation, and by retaining control of the Strait of Hormuz, could signal to other countries there is a viable currency architecture outside the petrodollar.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
This panel explores why filmmakers and showrunners must think like entrepreneurs, retaining control and building lasting value from their work.
—Peter White, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
Reinsdorf confirmed that a primary focus for the team will be retaining the coach for the long-term.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaining
Noun
-
But retention is an essential tool for the military to keep institutional knowledge and expertise.—
Tom Bowman,
NPR,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The nurses hope to focus on safe staffing and nurse retention, Pilate-Jean said.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This smart toaster is designed to evenly toast bagels, bread, waffles and more from edge to edge, delivering a crisp exterior while keeping the inside soft.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Most of the candidates’ pledges, such as tackling unaffordability, reducing gas prices, increasing capacity in state prisons, protecting gun owners’ rights and keeping trans athletes out of girls’ locker rooms, are nearly identical.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutors said the court issued an order preventing him from owning, possessing or having any animals in his care or custody.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Gun ownership per capita in Idaho is ranked fourth in the nation, with just over 60% of households in Idaho owning a firearm.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Creating this distinct sense of place, without employing gimmicky tropes (all too easy to do in a place like Hawaii, where a little puka shell goes a long way), is what makes Hualālai stand out on an island of upscale resorts.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
-
According to Holly Schiff, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist, Gen X'ers are known for employing the helicopter parenting style.—
Brianne Hogan,
Parents,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That puts them at the forefront of an asset class that is looking uncertain, although their overall exposure is still relatively small compared to their vast holdings.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Apollo is expected to extend its unsecured debt holdings as part of a refinancing transaction, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing a private matter.—
Reshmi Basu,
Bloomberg,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Still, for researchers, the project marks an important step in preserving what remains of the red wolf's genetic legacy.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado called Thursday for allotting more than $360 million to developers and nonprofits building and preserving affordable housing projects.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In addition to having those 14 months taken off his overall sentence, Combs is also likely eligible for a reduction in his sentence under the First Step Act and by participating in a drug rehabilitation program.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In short, having patrons pump their own gas allowed gas stations to remain competitive.—
Laura Kiniry,
Popular Science,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Similar to Kirby, Ahn believes personality can make or break a hiring decision.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
-
That means clear rules and oversight for technology affecting civil rights, public services or equal opportunity; protecting employee and resident data; and ensuring algorithms don’t drive decisions about wages, discipline or hiring without accountability and transparency.—
Maria Noel Fernandez,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaining. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
