Synonyms of retains

retains

verb

present tense third-person singular of retain

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

• keeps
• holds
• possesses
• preserves
• has
• withholds
• saves
• reserves
• protects
• conserves
• enjoys
• owns
• boasts
• holds on to
• manages
• hangs on to
• guards
• controls
• directs
• cherishes
• harbors
• rules
• detains
• commands
• treasures
• clings (to)
• hugs
• bears

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• relinquishes
• yields
• surrenders
• gives
• releases
• abandons
• contributes
• drops
• gives up
• donates
• rejects
• cedes
• loses
• discards
• dumps
• declines
• repudiates
• hands over
• hands out
• spurns

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

• owns
• has
• possesses
• enjoys
• holds
• keeps
• commands
• carries
• reserves
• rejoices in
• withholds
• boasts
• bears
• shows off
• sports

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lacks
• wants
• relinquishes
• abandons
• renounces
• yields
• disclaims
• surrenders
• discards
• requires
• rejects
• dumps
• cedes
• needs
• repudiates
• declines
• disowns
• hands over
• spurns

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

• employs
• hires
• recruits
• engages
• pays
• assumes
• signs (up or on)
• enlists
• fees
• places
• takes on
• lays on
• promotes
• jobs
• partners
• reengages
• rehires
• reemploys
• apprentices
• keeps (on)
• contracts
• upgrades
• subcontracts
• advances
• headhunts
• scouts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dismisses
• cans
• discharges
• fires
• axes
• sacks
• furloughs
• locks out
• lays off

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of retains

The Aura 3 Pro retains most of the flagship’s core hardware while dialing back the raw specs a bit. — New Atlas, 8 Sep. 2026

Chicago retains a hand in many of these structures that have begun in the offices of our architects and engineers. — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Washington, however, still retains many of the tools needed to combat global hunger. — Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026

But, for at least some of her characters, their moment of transcendence retains its power. — Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026

The president retains wide discretion to release oil from the reserve when the statutory conditions under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act are met. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026

That might seem like no time at all, but the corn emerges juicy, crispy, and tender and retains more of its sweetness and crunch. — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2026

The rock retains water, allowing roots to seek out moisture during the dry summer months. — Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026

Or require compromise to avoid a stalemate, if the Michigan Legislature retains its current partisan split. — Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026