RETENTION Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

retention

noun

Definition of retention

as in maintenance

the act of keeping something or someone The company's rate of employee retention is 80 percent.

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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 retention Schools would have to spend the money on teacher pay and retention, smaller class sizes, career and technical education, or a combination of the three. — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 Separate tests by that research shop have yielded data points confirming Donut’s claims about fast charging, high-temperature performance, charge retention, fire resistance, battery swelling, and energy density. — Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026 Carpal tunnel syndrome is more common in women, and factors such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, wrist injuries, and fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause may increase risk. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Oct. 2026 After that, judges stand for retention again every four years (for county judges), six years (for district judges) or eight years (for Court of Appeals judges). — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retention

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retention

Noun

As the brand evolved, this team transitioned into a dedicated bag restoration and maintenance atelier, preserving the longevity of each piece and keeping the warmth of handmade memory alive through patient care.

— Footwear News, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
Small details are attended to with flawless execution—when the night is chilly, blankets appear at the dinner table; housekeeping and pool maintenance is timed so as not to interfere with your presence; transfers and shuttles are booked with ease.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of maintenance

Noun

Older people have a harder time producing, retaining, and circulating body heat.

— Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2026
The fabric is the smooth, soft feel that Lululemon is famous for, while still being breathable, sweat-wicking, and shape-retaining.

— Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Apr. 2026

Definition of retaining

Noun

Manus could ultimately aim for a public listing but the more imminent task would be revamping its business and ownership structure to prove profitability and align with Beijing's regulatory requirement, analysts say.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
An elevated ownership experience and a starting price of about double the brand’s previous $60,000 entry point was the idea, Jaguar boss Rawdon Glover told me in 2024.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of ownership

Noun

The actors Nael Nacer and Artemis Pebdani double as Haddad’s great-aunt and -uncle and parents, playing across a spectrum of discomfort and cautious support.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
Its adaptable architecture supports missions including tactical logistics, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, communications support and other mission-critical applications.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of support

Noun

Badly injured, Captain Machchhar somehow opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to overpower al-Hammami, and two off-duty pilots to take control of the plane and land it in Saudi Arabia.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 10 Oct. 2026
In recent years, business has also benefited from factors outside the company’s control, like a country music resurgence boosting the sale of acoustic guitars and Taylor Swift inspiring more young women to take up the instrument.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of control

Browse Nearby Words

reteaching

retention

retentive

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“Retention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retention. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of retention

noun

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