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
More affluent households are probably stuck paying for tax prep, at least as long as the tax code retains anything like its current complexity.
—
Binyamin Appelbaum, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
Despite nationwide polls showing eroding support, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán retains strong backing in rural communities and among older Hungarians, who credit him with representing their interests and maintaining national pride.
—Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
District retains other mental health resources Even as positions are being cut, mental health support is still a priority for the district, Schulte said.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
At the moment, Eylea retains nearly 60% share in the category.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
After three years, the 4Runner retains 83% of its value on average, the best of all SUVs mentioned in our article.
—ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
The deal also retains the status quo on minimum staffing.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
But Iran still retains hundreds of kilograms of the core component needed to build a bomb, as well as decades of expertise.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
As private property, management retains the authority to deny requests to hold organized events or protests on site.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Binyamin Appelbaum, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
Despite nationwide polls showing eroding support, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán retains strong backing in rural communities and among older Hungarians, who credit him with representing their interests and maintaining national pride.
—Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
District retains other mental health resources Even as positions are being cut, mental health support is still a priority for the district, Schulte said.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
At the moment, Eylea retains nearly 60% share in the category.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
After three years, the 4Runner retains 83% of its value on average, the best of all SUVs mentioned in our article.
—ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
The deal also retains the status quo on minimum staffing.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
But Iran still retains hundreds of kilograms of the core component needed to build a bomb, as well as decades of expertise.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
As private property, management retains the authority to deny requests to hold organized events or protests on site.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retains
Verb
-
The stopout population keeps growing overall, even as annual stopouts have declined and reenrollment has increased, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
That number keeps Hong Kong at the top of the world’s IPO league tables, building on last year’s stellar performance of $35 billion raised over more than 100 new listings.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Frink owns Two Maids, a residential cleaning franchise that services the Phoenix area.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Allbirds, known for its minimalist wool sneakers, will sell its footwear assets to American Exchange Group, which owns more than 30 brands across fashion, jewelry, footwear and personal care.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One alderman who employs pension-eligible part-time staffers showed the Tribune ward expense reports from 2024 and 2025 that did not account for their pension costs.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
At every major-league park, the league employs a Ball-Out-Strike System (BOSS) operator who is responsible for ensuring the correct strike zone is used for each hitter – as opposed to say, the 5-foot-11 Trent Grisham getting stuck with the zone of the 6-7 Aaron Judge.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Featuring the show’s slogan over a sunny pop of color, this sturdy ceramic mug holds a generous 15 ounces of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa, and is your Immunity Idol against a dull routine.—
Brittany Anas,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
-
According to Karen Wheeler-Hall, Rothe’s owner and CEO, the firm holds a portion of an $814 million contract to provide NASA with videography, photography and other multimedia services.—
Brandon Lingle,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Anyone who has information about or video of the incident is asked to call Detective Joseph Haapala with the Redford Township Police Department at 313-387-2581 or email him.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Organized by the curatorial fellow Yifu Liu, the show has trimmings in just about every frame.—
Emilia Petrarca,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After a breakup, rudderless millennial Jane hires a team of Gen-Z consultants to reinvent her life.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Pramaggiore was convicted of seeking to hide the existence of those lobbying contracts with the Madigan hires from financial and human-resources employees within ComEd.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When humming on both ends of the court, Michigan possesses a gear everyone else can only wish for.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Rising second-year stars Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson can stretch the field, but neither possesses the blazing speed of Singleton — a former Georgia 6A state champion at 100 and 400 meters.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Shumer enjoys having a physical representation of his AI personal assistant in his home.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The pope has ruled out the idea—asserted repeatedly by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth—that America’s campaign in Iran enjoys divine favor.—
Francis X. Rocca,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retains. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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