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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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 retention Nurses at Allegheny General Hospital voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to authorize a strike, if necessary, during contract negotiations with Allegheny Health Network, citing concerns about staffing, retention and benefits. — Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 When silhouettes become cleaner and more precise, Karaduman said recovery, structure and shape retention become increasingly important. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 To try to combat this, employers may offer retention bonuses or other incentives to high performers or other employees in roles critical to the restructure, Rousseau says. — Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 Black, a district alumnus, is running on a platform of bolstering the district’s college and career readiness programs and boosting teacher retention. — Sophia Veneziano, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retention

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retention

Noun

But their buildings still need maintenance, school buses still need to run, and teachers still need to be paid.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
During both, the LIGO and Virgo gravitational-wave detectors were down for maintenance.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 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

The Lake Wylie Marine Commission has rescinded its support for Charlotte Water’s request to modify its interbasin transfer agreement, the group’s leadership told Mecklenburg County commissioners during its annual report Tuesday.

— Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026
But through the hardships, Andrea Soto said the community’s support has been a positive.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of support

Noun

On September 19, Miller’s forecast gave the Republicans an almost 36% chance of retaining control of the upper chamber.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
But two more scores from Rexroat of 5 and 54 yards maintained the Eagles’ control of the game.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 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 25 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of retention

noun

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