RETENTIVE Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

retentive

adjective

Definition of retentive

as in careful

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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 retentive 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

When an accident brings the enigmatic Gaia into their lives, unexpected desires begin to take shape, unsettling the careful balance that has long defined their relationship.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 July 2026
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of careful

Adjective

The exhibition’s framing of Hamdi as the conscientious Orientalist feels slyly designed to disarm judgment of his work, and even to neutralize his professional misdeeds.

— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
Earth-friendly, conscientious gardeners learn to slow down and pay attention — not only to plants but to the many creatures that share the garden.

— Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026

Definition of conscientious

Adjective

Teams are generally more cautious about cooling the legs, however, because cold applied directly to working muscles immediately before a match can temporarily blunt explosive actions such as sprinting.

— Alan McCall, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Legal experts said the slow pace reflects a cautious approach by Graf and the large volume of evidence.

— Hannah Schoenbaum, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026

Definition of cautious

Adjective

Jones was also circumspect, recalling that ACE inhibitors, drugs to treat blood pressure, heart failure, and kidney problems, were once hailed in a similar fashion.

— Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 1 July 2026
The bad news is that for the foreseeable future, consumers will continue to pay high prices, and employers are likely to continue to be more circumspect about coverage.

— Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 26 June 2026

Definition of circumspect

Adjective

But be wary of high heat forecast for Washington this weekend, as event schedules are subject to change amid sweltering temperatures.

— Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Iran may also be wary of attacks by the exiled Mujahadin-e Khalq (MeK), which Iran accuses of carrying out attacks inside Iran over several decades.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of wary

Adjective

February 19 – March 20 A thoughtful agreement could make a connection feel sweeter and easier to trust.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026
Henrietta was a thoughtful, interesting person, and contributor to some of the most important early works of evolutionary science.

— Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 9 July 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

Browse Nearby Words

retention

retentive

retest

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“Retentive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retentive. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of retentive

adjective

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