as in retention
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1
as in keeping
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
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2
as in owning
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
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3
as in employing
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
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Recent Examples of retaining
David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Pack a blanket or a warm outer layer Older people have a harder time producing, retaining, and circulating body heat.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
Lynch retaining seems likely, but Bella’s presence brings nostalgia and star power for the international audience.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2026
Only 2200 of them remain, having staved off swells of economic uncertainty, retaining their Irish accents and ways of life.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
The whites of lights and balloons popped, and black suits seemed extremely dark while clearly retaining their cuts and contours.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
And in a report last week by Iranian state TV’s English-language broadcaster, an anonymous official was quoted as saying Iran had its own demands to end the fighting, including retaining sovereignty over the strait.
—Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Michael Oser, a Columbus-area resident, articulated the frustration of some defenders of retaining the Wexner name in a recent letter-to-the-editor of The Columbus Dispatch.
—Julie Carr Smyth, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
My search yielded a few standout pieces perfect for decluttering counter space while retaining a sense of material dignity.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
Too, though the Basque Country is today is fully integrated into Spain, while retaining a great deal of autonomy, as well as its unique language and culture, the region’s relationship with the Iberian nation is shadowed by its history as the home of terrorist organization ETA.
—News Desk, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2026
Forget air conditioning and retaining dedicated teachers.
—Laura Einhorn, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
But we’re invited to see him as, despite these foibles, amusing and retaining, and his cynicism about everything and his lack of moral scruple is—actually, we’re invited to see this as a kind of higher wisdom.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Pack a blanket or a warm outer layer Older people have a harder time producing, retaining, and circulating body heat.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
Lynch retaining seems likely, but Bella’s presence brings nostalgia and star power for the international audience.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
Rather than simply buying the house, Gores traded a portfolio of Los Angeles–area assets, including undeveloped land in Bel Air, while retaining a financial interest in some of those properties, consolidating multiple holdings into a single trophy estate.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2026
Only 2200 of them remain, having staved off swells of economic uncertainty, retaining their Irish accents and ways of life.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
The whites of lights and balloons popped, and black suits seemed extremely dark while clearly retaining their cuts and contours.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
And in a report last week by Iranian state TV’s English-language broadcaster, an anonymous official was quoted as saying Iran had its own demands to end the fighting, including retaining sovereignty over the strait.
—Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Michael Oser, a Columbus-area resident, articulated the frustration of some defenders of retaining the Wexner name in a recent letter-to-the-editor of The Columbus Dispatch.
—Julie Carr Smyth, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
My search yielded a few standout pieces perfect for decluttering counter space while retaining a sense of material dignity.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
Too, though the Basque Country is today is fully integrated into Spain, while retaining a great deal of autonomy, as well as its unique language and culture, the region’s relationship with the Iberian nation is shadowed by its history as the home of terrorist organization ETA.
—News Desk, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2026
Forget air conditioning and retaining dedicated teachers.
—Laura Einhorn, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaining
Noun
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Officials said the campus would have needed about 100 additional students to become financially sustainable, but enrollment had stagnated and retention declined.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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Her body was found later that month in a retention pond.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Supporters say the plates will help recognize the cultural pride that goes into keeping these hot rods rolling on California roadways.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Gibbs will request, keeping them busier than clients half her age.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In a court filing, the FCC has defended the Media Bureau approval, as well as its decision to grant Nexstar a waiver from a media ownership cap that limits any one entity from owning stations covering more than 39% of the country.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
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Together, these moves (along with owning a Popeyes restaurant franchise) show Megan’s ability to seamlessly blend music, branding, and pop culture into moments that capture attention, drive conversation…plus sales.—
Datwon Thomas,
VIBE.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Giants are in town to start a three-game series, the Padres’ first NL West games of the year, and are employing their third different leadoff hitter in four games.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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As Adam reenters the dating world, his sister encourages him to view it as a fresh start, and scenic designer Milo Bue visually evokes the idea of a blank slate by employing off-whites and greys for Adam’s studio apartment in New York City.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Hegseth does not have any major holdings in defense companies, according to his most recent financial disclosure reviewed by ABC News.—
Allison Pecorin,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Some holdings will grow faster than others.—
Doug Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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City backers and project leaders tasked the Beltline with building or preserving 5,600 housing units at rates below market-rate while simultaneously delivering a 22-mile trail loop by the end of 2030.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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Importantly, this approach is not specific to preserving just this species of squirrel.—
Eve Bohnett,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Parents love having an easy, reusable activity for restaurants, travel days, sleepovers or quiet time at home.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Blue Owl, which is unique in having two of these nontraded private credit funds, is also among the last to report redemptions.—
Leslie Picker,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The construction sector, as well as transportation and logistics, also contributed to the surge in hiring.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Right now, the city has paused hiring and spending at Boston Public Schools due to the budget gap there, and a city spokesperson told the Herald in a statement that the mayor is freezing spending to address the city’s shortfall.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaining. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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