RETENTIVE Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

retentive

adjective

Definition of retentive

as in careful

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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 retentive Asters thrive in cooler, moisture-retentive soil and can tolerate partial shade, while morning glories prefer full sun and well-draining, poorer soils. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026 Cabbage plants also benefit from moisture-retentive clay as long as gardens don’t stay soggy long enough to lead to rot. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2026 The velocity of decisions and the inverse of that, though, is when these decisions are made, there are incredibly sticky and retentive businesses. — Aaron Weitzman, Axios, 9 Sep. 2024 As well as attracting a significant number of new Discovery+ subscribers, sports broadens its appeal throughout the whole household and provides consumers an even greater, more retentive value proposition. — Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2022 Energy firms tend to be slow to acquire as customers, but these energy targets are highly retentive once onboarded as customers. — John Tough, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2021 Jane was an anal retentive young mom whose professional dream was to become a bestselling novelist. — Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2021 Her ministers fear her ferociously retentive memory for the details of their portfolios—including the particulars of complex technical and scientific issues, such as trade, digital technology, and, lately, the pandemic. — Constanze Stelzenmüller, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retentive

Adjective

Renault is careful to frame this as a style exercise rather than a preview of a production model.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2026
Awash with new property tax funds, local governments often haven’t been careful stewards of residents’ tax dollars.

— Elaine Parker, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of careful

Adjective

The output of such organizations affects everyone, and a conscientious official may reasonably fear that exiting in a crisis will only accelerate it.

— Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Almost 7% of Tarrant County kindergarteners had a conscientious exemption to at least one vaccine in the 2025-26 school year, up from 3% five years ago, according to state data.

— Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of conscientious

Adjective

Drug development is highly regulated, and executives have good reasons to be cautious about changing how major decisions are made.

— George Achilleos, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
McNamara also wanted to create a performance-focused, consumer-centric drive in a business that had grown up under the umbrella of a more cautious pharmaceutical company.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of cautious

Adjective

Travelers should be wary of unexpected obstacles littering the roadway as high winds cause trees and power lines to fall.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026
Opinion has changed, as the public has grown wary of AI and its ability to amass and synthesize many forms of data.

— Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of wary

Adjective

Patrick is a mix of stately confidence and thoughtful inquiry.

— Kyle Maclachlan, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
And there’s a useful distinction between dressing down to make someone else comfortable and being thoughtful about the signals your clothes send.

— Morgan Sullivan, Glamour, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of thoughtful

Adjective

Her heedful eyes meet those of a young Black girl in overalls and braids on the other side of the room.

— Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 9 Aug. 2023
That’s partly because retailers have grown less heedful about developing the necessary pipelines, a problem that’s worsened in recent years as retailers saw profits crushed by a push into low-margin e-commerce.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2023

Definition of heedful

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retention

retentive

retest

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“Retentive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retentive. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of retentive

adjective

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