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

Nvidia’s board confirmed that Mr Huang retains its confidence and will continue to lead the company. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2026

Remarkably, the ship’s hull retains 90% of its original integrity, the conservancy’s website said. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026

Though Netanyahu’s coalition lost its majority in the Knesset, his Likud Party got the most seats of any individual party — a demonstration of how the controversial 77-year-old leader retains larger-than-expected support among many Israeli voters. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026

Designed by Atelier Invictus and designer Fabio Rotella, the 55-footer introduces a fresh aesthetic but retains all the defining characteristics of the ST550 that debuted at Cannes in 2025. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2026

Storing these propellants in their gaseous forms retains them in a less dense form but avoids the complexity of storage at cryogenic temperatures. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 Nov. 2026

Lionsgate retains its existing ownership and distribution rights, while Content Partners and Mark Burg hold interests in the existing film library. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026

While Carlson has long been unaffiliated with the outlet, Patel retains business connections with Carlson, while Carlson’s brother Buckley Carlson has served on the Daily Caller nonprofit’s board. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Georgia recruits elite high school players, develops them, retains them and replaces them with more elite high school players. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2026