as in maintenance
the act of keeping something or someone
The company's rate of employee retention is 80 percent.
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Recent Examples of retention
The first step, experts say, is saturating the skin with an essence (similar to a traditional toner) to boost moisture retention, followed by an emulsion in place of a standard moisturizer.
—
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2026
But their roster retention efforts went well for the most part.
—Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Iowans could see more information on judges' rulings Iowans would have access to more information about judges' rulings ahead of the state's judicial retention elections under a separate measure, House File 2719, which passed on a 73-19 vote.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 5 Mar. 2026
The sprawling Discover campus features a complex of four buildings encircling a large retention pond.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retention
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2026
But their roster retention efforts went well for the most part.
—Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Iowans could see more information on judges' rulings Iowans would have access to more information about judges' rulings ahead of the state's judicial retention elections under a separate measure, House File 2719, which passed on a 73-19 vote.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 5 Mar. 2026
The sprawling Discover campus features a complex of four buildings encircling a large retention pond.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retention
Noun
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Some Asian plants had also planned maintenance before the war broke out, exacerbating the situation.—
Nicholas Lua,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
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Although Robbie’s ends are kept heavy, her new cut is much lower maintenance than a razor-sharp blunt bob.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Pack a blanket or a warm outer layer Older people have a harder time producing, retaining, and circulating body heat.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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Lynch retaining seems likely, but Bella’s presence brings nostalgia and star power for the international audience.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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But Monday’s disappointment stems from the promises made by management and ownership.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
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Those results ran afoul of the Club World Cup’s multi-ownership rule, Alajuelense argued.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Alcantara received plenty of support from his lineup in the form of four home runs and six strong innings from the bullpen tossed in a 7-5 win at Miami’s loanDepot park as the Dominican Republic went a perfect 4-0 in pool play.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
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Ecuador set to attack crime groups QUITO, Ecuador -- Ecuador will launch a major offensive against criminal organizations in three western provinces this weekend with logistical support from the United States, the interior minister said Wednesday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Affordability is a top issue this midterm cycle as the GOP is defending its control of the House and Senate.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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The Jayhawks started this game on a 9-0 run, but TCU quickly caught up and took control, particularly with KU’s Bidunga in foul trouble.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retention. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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