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 extradition process requires a hearing before a US judge to determine whether the treaty’s requirements are met, but the final decision is made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who retains discretion to deny extradition. — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Short of a political upheaval, which is unlikely as long as Putin remains in office, Russia retains sovereignty on paper while quietly becoming a semi-vassal whose room for maneuver narrows by the year. — Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Juice also retains many of the phytochemicals found in whole fruit, including flavonoids, polyphenols, anthocyanins (especially in grape and cherry juice) and carotenoids (especially in orange juice). — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 21, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026

The body, to maintain the right electrolyte balance, retains water to dilute the blood. — Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 21 July 2026

The new flagship retains that signature style, but features a highly distinctive exterior by Vallicelli Design. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 July 2026

More importantly, the Gravity retains the charging performance that has become one of Lucid’s defining strengths. — ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026

Together, these technologies are designed to ensure that Iran retains at least part of its ballistic missile force even after a large-scale attack. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026

Even its bridal jewelry retains an element of discretion, including a small gold heart concealed inside certain bands and positioned close to the wearer. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 14 July 2026