1
as in kept
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in owned
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 employed
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
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Recent Examples of retained
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
The new map retained only one district that would have been considered competitive in the 2024 presidential election.
—Ashley Wu, New York Times, 18 May 2026
Quinn credited his wife with making sure the artist retained ownership while allowing the band to use the image for the album campaign.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 18 May 2026
There are currently four vacant seats on the court, but they cannot be filled, because the government has retained a veto until the new law kicks in, after the elections.
—Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Because Lanzillo was working for a private private investigator firm retained by a law firm representing the Costa Mesa Police Officers’ Association, the case required the utmost competence and independence.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 17 May 2026
One patient retained normal core disgust reactivity but could no longer recognize disgust in others’ faces; another with anterior insula damage showed dysregulation in both producing and experiencing disgust.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Authorities have not said whether Suarez has retained an attorney.
—Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Cieslica said a special consultant was retained to help determine the best type of grass to put at the bottom of the basin, along its sides and around the area on the top.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Verb
The rooms The eight villas—of which four have views of the Philippine Sea and the ‘Naked Island’ sandbank on the horizon—have largely retained their pre-typhoon blueprint and wood-and-wicker decor.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
The new map retained only one district that would have been considered competitive in the 2024 presidential election.
—Ashley Wu, New York Times, 18 May 2026
Quinn credited his wife with making sure the artist retained ownership while allowing the band to use the image for the album campaign.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 18 May 2026
There are currently four vacant seats on the court, but they cannot be filled, because the government has retained a veto until the new law kicks in, after the elections.
—Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Because Lanzillo was working for a private private investigator firm retained by a law firm representing the Costa Mesa Police Officers’ Association, the case required the utmost competence and independence.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 17 May 2026
One patient retained normal core disgust reactivity but could no longer recognize disgust in others’ faces; another with anterior insula damage showed dysregulation in both producing and experiencing disgust.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Authorities have not said whether Suarez has retained an attorney.
—Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Cieslica said a special consultant was retained to help determine the best type of grass to put at the bottom of the basin, along its sides and around the area on the top.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retained
Adjective
-
Once Nikki returns to herself, she’s still left with extreme trauma and consequences, given that the possessed version of her murdered two people.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
-
Navarrette does her job like a pro, delivering a chilling performance as a possessed lovesick young woman, with the real Nikki being tortured and trying to break free.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Riley kept moving, crashing parties at the Sundance Film Festival and toting the screenplay everywhere, honing his pitch.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
Taylor saw the leaderboards across Aronimink and kept right on walking.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
The atelier was in operation until 1956, and it was owned by the couturier’s descendents until 1950 when it was purchased by the House of Paquin.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Frieze, owned by Ari Emanuel’s MARI, brings a different energy than typical gallery openings and museum exhibits.—
Jesse Kirshbaum,
SPIN,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The charges relate to alleged misconduct committed between July 2023 and July 2025 while Gearhart was employed as an agent of the Lakewood Police Department.—
Lisa Starke,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
-
Women continue performing a disproportionate amount of unpaid labor, including childcare coordination, household management, and emotional caregiving -- even while employed full-time.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But most of the research being done was carried out by people who had the university equivalent of a day job.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Beaches had a long road to Broadway.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Money was not available to support testing and port screenings in Uganda when an outbreak was declared last January, one expert told NPR, and another said a majority of USAID's high-risk outbreak specialists were pushed out of the agency and not re-hired.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
To meet their growth targets, banks hired increasing numbers of women, African Americans, Asian Americans, and white ethnics, all of whom had been excluded from or simply wary about pursuing careers in finance.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
And although the new addition containing the guest rooms sticks out quite a bit, the original brick structures have been carefully preserved.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
The house has been preserved to highlight some of the more old-world aspects—spot wood beams, stone floors, and aqua window frames in nearly every room—for a taste of traditional Cycladic style.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retained. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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