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
Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
Only the donor 718's chassis and some electronics are retained in the conversion.
—New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
Dake most recently retained the belt at RAF05, while Keckeisen earned his title shot after a dominant win over reigning World Champion Zahid Valencia at RAF04.
—Bradenton Herald Staff Reports, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Despite all of the scandal, Beatrice and Eugenie have retained their princess titles and Her Royal Highness stylings.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
Paul Weiss has said it was retained by Black to negotiate a series of fee disputes with Epstein.
—Tom Schoenberg, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
The Padres, Feliciano and boutique investment bank BDT & MSD, which was retained last November to explore a potential sale of the MLB club, declined to comment.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 4 Feb. 2026
But Russia retained its clout in one crucial area.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
The Rangers, who reportedly retained half of Panarin's remaining salary cap hit season, received 20-year-old forward prospect Liam Greentree and conditional draft picks.
—Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
The building’s original Portland stone facade was retained, while the interior has been updated with contemporary codes, with concrete flooring, aluminum and glass vitrines, and stainless steel perimeter wrapping the space.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
Only the donor 718's chassis and some electronics are retained in the conversion.
—New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
Dake most recently retained the belt at RAF05, while Keckeisen earned his title shot after a dominant win over reigning World Champion Zahid Valencia at RAF04.
—Bradenton Herald Staff Reports, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Despite all of the scandal, Beatrice and Eugenie have retained their princess titles and Her Royal Highness stylings.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
Paul Weiss has said it was retained by Black to negotiate a series of fee disputes with Epstein.
—Tom Schoenberg, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
The Padres, Feliciano and boutique investment bank BDT & MSD, which was retained last November to explore a potential sale of the MLB club, declined to comment.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 4 Feb. 2026
But Russia retained its clout in one crucial area.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
The Rangers, who reportedly retained half of Panarin's remaining salary cap hit season, received 20-year-old forward prospect Liam Greentree and conditional draft picks.
—Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retained
Adjective
-
The story begins with two teens fleeing into the night where one is killed by her possessed mother.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
-
David Dastmalchian stars as Jack Delroy, an opportunistic host who invites a possessed girl and a child psychologist as his guests for the night in a desperate bid for ratings.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Pape Matar Sarr and Xavi Simons picked up the ball in dangerous areas, Dominic Solanke dragged Harry Maguire out of position, and Destiny Udogie kept flashing crosses into the box.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The Chinese coffee company continued to operate many of its stores — and kept its name and logo.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Tens of billions of dollars in corporate loans are likely to default over the next year as companies, especially software and data services firms owned by private equity, get squeezed by the AI threat, Mish said in a Wednesday research note.—
Hugh Son,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Since so many of these locations are owned and operated by different people, the best way to check is by stopping by your nearest location.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Rerouting the current $17,670 adoption tax credit to married parents for each of their own newborns, as long as one parent is employed.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The owner of Joe Gibbs Racing — which has employed Hamlin as a driver for decades — has lost two sons in his lifetime.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Feb. 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
-
Freshman guard Meleek Thomas added 20 points and had three steals.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
-
All were known to have had ties to Epstein, but the new files have provided more details on their relationships and dealings with the late money manager.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Daily News first reported investigators served a search warrant on at least one SaferWatch employee after the company hired the brother of two of former Mayor Adams’ top deputies as a consultant.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The body is cleaned and prepared in the Muslim tradition, as the family takes one last look before the burial, while hired men recite the Koran.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Remnants of six coils of fragile leather thong were also preserved on the shaft.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Even if there were sites that did not get preserved, or were demolished, there were debates over whether that should happen.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retained. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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