1
as in keeps
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 owns
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 employs
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
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Recent Examples of retains
The 700 Sky retains the same sporty spirit, of course, with a sleek, lightweight hull and a beastly powertrain ensuring exhilarating performance.
—
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 3 June 2026
The aircraft retains the fighting capability of the Gripen E variant and can also be used for training.
—Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026
Today, with an easy island glamour done in white columns and blue arches, the hotel itself retains its air of romance, and its location on a private beach keeps celebrities cycling through.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
The Star-Telegram retains independence in all coverage decisions.
—Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
But the former prime minister retains significant political influence, so even if IMF talks do progress, larger questions remain for the economy.
—Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 2 June 2026
Wilimowski retains, by a distance, the best scoring ratio of any player who has appeared at the World Cup.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 1 June 2026
The sponsor retains responsibility for the content and holds the copyright to their material.
—Phan Khang, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Dark scenes also reveal that the Bravia 9 II retains richer colors and slightly more color definition in such shots than even the already impressive original Bravia 9 does.
—John Archer, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 3 June 2026
The aircraft retains the fighting capability of the Gripen E variant and can also be used for training.
—Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026
Today, with an easy island glamour done in white columns and blue arches, the hotel itself retains its air of romance, and its location on a private beach keeps celebrities cycling through.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
The Star-Telegram retains independence in all coverage decisions.
—Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
But the former prime minister retains significant political influence, so even if IMF talks do progress, larger questions remain for the economy.
—Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 2 June 2026
Wilimowski retains, by a distance, the best scoring ratio of any player who has appeared at the World Cup.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 1 June 2026
The sponsor retains responsibility for the content and holds the copyright to their material.
—Phan Khang, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Dark scenes also reveal that the Bravia 9 II retains richer colors and slightly more color definition in such shots than even the already impressive original Bravia 9 does.
—John Archer, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retains
Verb
-
Today, with an easy island glamour done in white columns and blue arches, the hotel itself retains its air of romance, and its location on a private beach keeps celebrities cycling through.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Krylon suggests painting your porch decor with this shade, giving your home's entryway a timeless look—indoors, Ink Blue furniture keeps your space grounded and stylish.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Building community through art Chris Goode, a community leader who owns of Ruby Jean’s Juicery next door, said Wharry’s studio represents the kind of investment that can continue to matter after the World Cup ends.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2026
-
Bari Weiss directed the housecleaning at the newsmagazine last week, and Nick Bilton signed the letter telling Scott Pelley he was fired on Tuesday night, but the Paramount CEO owns the decisions and the disconcerting fallout.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
In her 2008 work Mirror Play, San Francisco Poets Theatre Beloved’s Carla Harryman employs a field of speakers as an engine for organizing meaning between interior perception and exterior reality.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
The laptop employs the same chassis design Acer has been using for Nitros over the past couple of years.—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Cal Fire still holds a modest annual budget for wildfire mitigation work.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
In the piece, Mead examines Monroe's legacy, and how her disarming beauty still holds the power to seduce today.—
Rebecca Mead,
Allure,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The team has only one main pitcher, Taylor Tinsley, who’s spent the most time in the circle in the NCAA tournament with 29-1/3 innings pitched.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
For example some restaurants, such as the main restaurant ALBA, can be set up with ramps, while the hotel has wheelchairs available onsite that are suited to hard surfaces.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Comedy Deepfake by Matt Eames follows a rudderless millennial who hires a team of Gen-Z consultants to reinvent her life.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
-
With grant money from the Lucky Duck Foundation, the nonprofit Salvation Army hires residents of its homeless shelter and trains them as food rescue route drivers for nonprofit Feeding San Diego, collecting surplus food from grocery stores and businesses that would otherwise go to waste.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
But if everyone possesses the same technological advantage, technical proficiency alone will no longer distinguish students.—
Marybeth Gasman,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
FNPPs leverage shipyard capacity and regulatory expertise, with approximately 75% of total value added associated with the Balance of Plant—areas where the Greek maritime-industrial base already possesses relevant capabilities.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Jake, who previously interned at amNewYork, enjoys telling sports stories with a human-interest element and incorporating video within his coverage.—
Molly Fellin Spence,
Baltimore Sun,
29 May 2026
-
Nobody enjoys being randomly summoned into your post about the Top 37 Visionary Thought Leaders Changing Synergy in Healthcare.—
William Arruda,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retains. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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