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 Free Press retains editorial control of this work.
—
Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 10 Nov. 2025
The sponsor retains responsibility for the content and holds the copyright to their material.
—Rowan Briggs, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
The 85-footer retains the brand’s classic DNA, with a long, lean profile, and the prolific use of teak, which not only covers the cockpit but defines the interior salon and dining area on the floors, bulkheads, and ceilings.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
Only a small group of TPS holders who re-registered in January 2025 retains an automatic extension of their work permit until October 2026.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Key Takeaways Raw honey retains more antioxidants and enzymes with potential health benefits, as well as some pollen.
—Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
While Musk retains the CEO title, Gwynne Shotwell is the lead exec at SpaceX overseeing day-to-day operations.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
But that would last only as long as the GOP retains control of the Senate.
—George Petras, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Plus, the pad and ports are discreetly tucked into the top shelf, so the lamp retains its classic aesthetic.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 10 Nov. 2025
The sponsor retains responsibility for the content and holds the copyright to their material.
—Rowan Briggs, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
The 85-footer retains the brand’s classic DNA, with a long, lean profile, and the prolific use of teak, which not only covers the cockpit but defines the interior salon and dining area on the floors, bulkheads, and ceilings.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
Only a small group of TPS holders who re-registered in January 2025 retains an automatic extension of their work permit until October 2026.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Key Takeaways Raw honey retains more antioxidants and enzymes with potential health benefits, as well as some pollen.
—Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
While Musk retains the CEO title, Gwynne Shotwell is the lead exec at SpaceX overseeing day-to-day operations.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
But that would last only as long as the GOP retains control of the Senate.
—George Petras, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Plus, the pad and ports are discreetly tucked into the top shelf, so the lamp retains its classic aesthetic.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retains
Verb
-
Even at a high average annual value, the lack of years keeps mid-market teams in the mix.—
Patrick McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The organization keeps the food banks in a rotation so distributions go out evenly, although the nonprofit also considers which pantries are most in need.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The company also owns film distribution labels Independent Film Company and RLJE Films, and in-house studio AMC Studios.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Beyond his classic English country house, John also owns properties across Europe, including a summer house in Nice, France, and an apartment in Venice.—
Mekita Rivas,
Architectural Digest,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Each branch employs technicians who understand the pests most common in their region, scorpions in the Southwest, ticks in the Midwest, or termites in the Southeast.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The company employs 230 people in Midland and 94 in Auburn Hills who will be affected.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
One cheerfully holds a toothbrush, her hair wrapped in a matching second towel (for me, a universal symbol of maturity and womanhood.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Outside of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, who both stand alone as the only squads in their division with winning records, every other divisional leader holds only a slim edge over rivals in hot pursuit.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Technology is an ever-present disruptor that has a way of commoditizing what once felt unique, driving a kind of Moore’s law-like acceleration into every corner of our daily workflows.—
Phil Gilbert,
Fortune,
12 Nov. 2025
-
According to the explanation on the museum’s website, the use of poppies has its origins in a poem that was penned by a Canadian physician who had served as a field surgeon in Belgium during the Great War.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Senior, the managing partner of the law firm that hires Matty.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
There’s the younger wife who falls in love with the woman her husband hires for a threesome, then walks off 10 minutes later with a $210m settlement once Nash acquires video evidence of his extensive perversions.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Warner possesses valuable European sports rights that would require government approvals to sell.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The governor of New York possesses the authority, under the state constitution and the New York City Charter, to remove mayors and other local officials from office.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Gilpin’s elder daughter enjoys watching her mom act, especially during playtime.—
Audrey Schmidt,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
When asked why Stephen King enjoys such singular longevity in pop culture, both siblings pointed to some of the real-life horrors in the world around us as evidence that King has always been ahead of his time.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retains. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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