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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of retains
Denmark retains authority over the island’s defense, foreign policy, and economic matters.
—
Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 13 Jan. 2026
The sponsor retains responsibility for the content and holds the copyright to their material.
—Phan Khang, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
Israel’s military controls a buffer zone that covers more than half of Gaza, while the Hamas-run government retains authority over the rest.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
The News retains full editorial control of this coverage.
—Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, Dallas Morning News, 12 Jan. 2026
The Eagles’ inconsistency is all about their offense, which retains the talent that won the Super Bowl last year, but has frustrated fans for most of the season.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Those plans include a unified governance structure, which retains the identities of the tours and the Grand Slams.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
While many are now driven primarily by economic interests, a subset retains insurgent, ant-imperialist commitments.
—Rebecca Hanson, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
According to Derocha and Gentile, roasting it with the skin retains moisture, keeping the meat juicy.
—Laura Schober, Health, 5 Jan. 2026
Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 13 Jan. 2026
The sponsor retains responsibility for the content and holds the copyright to their material.
—Phan Khang, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
Israel’s military controls a buffer zone that covers more than half of Gaza, while the Hamas-run government retains authority over the rest.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
The News retains full editorial control of this coverage.
—Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, Dallas Morning News, 12 Jan. 2026
The Eagles’ inconsistency is all about their offense, which retains the talent that won the Super Bowl last year, but has frustrated fans for most of the season.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Those plans include a unified governance structure, which retains the identities of the tours and the Grand Slams.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
While many are now driven primarily by economic interests, a subset retains insurgent, ant-imperialist commitments.
—Rebecca Hanson, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
According to Derocha and Gentile, roasting it with the skin retains moisture, keeping the meat juicy.
—Laura Schober, Health, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retains
Verb
-
Utopia Bedding Quilted Comforter This Utopia Bedding comforter keeps my bed looking super fluffy and cloud-like and gives my bedroom an expensive look.—
Genevieve Cepeda,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Leave it to one of the best luggage brands to come out with a revolutionary zipper that is three times stronger than a traditional zipper, as well as an anti-microbial lining that keeps odor-causing bacteria from thriving.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For proof, consider that Mars now owns the record for the largest single-day ticket sales in Live Nation North American tour history (according to Live Nation).—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
And while Vegas owns a top-five power play, Marner, typically the top unit’s quarterback, has factored into the scoring at the lowest rate of his career — nabbing a point on only 39 percent of the goals.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The police department employs two full-time officers and four part-time officers, according to Masontown Borough Police Chief Timothy O'Barto.—
Erika Stanish,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
South Florida Equestrian Village alone employs more than 1,000 people.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The central legal question was whether the board of governors or the club’s voting members holds the ultimate power to authorize major capital projects and debt.—
Chase Jordan
January 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
-
New York — Collective wisdom holds that an independent central bank is absolutely vital for any advanced economy.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This previously-$30 set of Merino wool socks already has an excellent value, but the new price point is even sweeter.—
Anna Popp,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The bakery has two trailers on the property that are used for housing and as a test kitchen for the bakers.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But the Giants weren’t in a position to roll the dice again after crapping out on the Daboll, Judge and McAdoo hires.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Svalinn hires trainers from many different backgrounds — even prioritizing candidates without dog-training experience — so the dogs get used to hearing commands from a variety of voices, says Greene.—
Megan Sauer
Tasia Jensen,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or-winning thriller possesses a withering critique of the cruelty and corruption of an authoritarian regime, combined with a blistering sense of humor.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
While the robot possesses a 360-degree sensor suite (LiDAR and HD cameras) for autonomous navigation, on-site reports noted that the CES floor performances were partially human-controlled using a dedicated remote to ensure safety in the crowded booth.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Ball enjoys every second of their interactions, too.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Rose also enjoys playing with dolls, carefully giving each one its own name and unique personality.—
The Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retains. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
