1
as in to keep
to continue to have in one's possession or power
I plan to retain the family heirlooms until my own children are mature enough to appreciate them, and then I will lovingly pass them on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to have
to keep, control, or experience as one's own
that author retains the right to veto any changes in his books suggested by his publisher's notoriously intrusive editor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to employ
to provide with a paying job
her neighbor retained her as a nanny for the summer, thus giving her something to do until school started again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of retain
Thanks to its potassium content, a banana also helps the intestines retain water, offering hydration support during a run.
—
Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 21 July 2025
The most common side effects include: Chia seeds and their oils help the skin retain moisture, reduce the visible signs of aging, and improve skin health.
—Rachael Zimlich, Verywell Health, 21 July 2025
Cops don't have to disclose when AI is used in every department, and Draft One does not save drafts or retain a record showing which parts of reports are AI-generated.
—ArsTechnica, 10 July 2025
These things can be weathered so long as Americans retain our reverence for freedom of speech.
—Bruce Yandle, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retain
Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 21 July 2025
The most common side effects include: Chia seeds and their oils help the skin retain moisture, reduce the visible signs of aging, and improve skin health.
—Rachael Zimlich, Verywell Health, 21 July 2025
Cops don't have to disclose when AI is used in every department, and Draft One does not save drafts or retain a record showing which parts of reports are AI-generated.
—ArsTechnica, 10 July 2025
These things can be weathered so long as Americans retain our reverence for freedom of speech.
—Bruce Yandle, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retain
Verb
-
Excited to keep working to bring championships to LA and make Laker Nation proud.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Aug. 2025
-
Chip seal contractors just have to keep the liquid asphalt hot in special heated tanker trucks.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Challenge yourself, meet new people and, most importantly, have fun participating in this race.—
Caroline Ritzie,
The Enquirer,
24 July 2025
-
January had the most overtime hours, amounting to 270 hours, according to data provided by the city.—
Maritza Dominguez,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
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The company employs around 10,000 mostly office workers in its hometown.—
Alexander Coolidge,
The Enquirer,
29 July 2025
-
Fed employees are employed at regional banks across the country, with about 3,000 based in Washington, DC.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
And believe it or not, plenty are genuinely comfortable, holding their own against traditional footwear.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
15 July 2025
-
Dreck is intended to highlight that rules are not alone in the regulatory universe, and urge that policymakers recognize and be held to account for the laundering of regulation by non-rule means to influence outcomes or inflict obligations, whether intentional or not.—
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Willock’s dynamism and ability to carry the ball up the pitch is a skill set that Newcastle do not possess elsewhere.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
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Their schools are underfunded, their villages lack clinics and paved roads, and many residents do not even possess birth certificates.—
Jila Andalib,
Hartford Courant,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
Bigsby walked into his middle school the next day, recruited classmates for his own boy band and started rehearsing cover songs with them after school every day at his house.—
Brad Schmitt,
The Tennessean,
2 Aug. 2025
-
During the Biden administration, CBP was able to recruit its workforce in part thanks to hiring bonuses, according to a Governmental Accountability Office report.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
1 Aug. 2025
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The move is framed as a necessary step to preserve the integrity of peace agreements and discourage further violations.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
Verb
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Food Network champ/celeb chef Maneet Chauhan lives and owns a couple of restaurants here.—
Brad Schmitt,
The Tennessean,
26 July 2025
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Kosmos’ projects have included running the Davis Cup tennis competition, moving the Supercopa de Espana to Saudi Arabia and owning Spanish second-division side Andorra.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retain. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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