1
as in keeps
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 owns
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 employs
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 retains
Beckham retains a 45% stake in the business after selling the remainder of his commercial empire to Authentic Brands Group.
—
Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
As part of the acquisition, Sentivo retains the intellectual property of Cielo Estate, including its branding, member base and existing inventory, which will be sold under the Sentivo imprimatur.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Public Clothing retains the Derek Lam brand, which continues to be designed by Robert Rodriguez, creative director.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
Where to Stay The Harbor Inn Acoaxet The Harbor Inn began as a farm in the late 1700s and retains the feel of a colonial farmstead.
—Anna Laird Barto, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
Which masticating juicer is Cold press juicers slowly crush and press fruits and vegetables, producing a high yield of juice that tastes great and retains the bulk of its nutrients.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Neither have discussed what was said, but Starmer’s office insisted that the health secretary retains the prime minister’s full support.
—Pan Pylas, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Designed by Carlo Mollino, the floating 1950s retreat retains many of the legendary Italian designer’s original interiors and custom furnishings.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 May 2026
Pineapples Pineapple is a versatile tropical fruit that retains its natural sweetness when consumed raw, baked, or grilled.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 13 May 2026
Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
As part of the acquisition, Sentivo retains the intellectual property of Cielo Estate, including its branding, member base and existing inventory, which will be sold under the Sentivo imprimatur.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Public Clothing retains the Derek Lam brand, which continues to be designed by Robert Rodriguez, creative director.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
Where to Stay The Harbor Inn Acoaxet The Harbor Inn began as a farm in the late 1700s and retains the feel of a colonial farmstead.
—Anna Laird Barto, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
Which masticating juicer is Cold press juicers slowly crush and press fruits and vegetables, producing a high yield of juice that tastes great and retains the bulk of its nutrients.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Neither have discussed what was said, but Starmer’s office insisted that the health secretary retains the prime minister’s full support.
—Pan Pylas, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Designed by Carlo Mollino, the floating 1950s retreat retains many of the legendary Italian designer’s original interiors and custom furnishings.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 May 2026
Pineapples Pineapple is a versatile tropical fruit that retains its natural sweetness when consumed raw, baked, or grilled.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retains
Verb
-
The province of Grosseto was, and still is, a predominantly agricultural area, with small villages where the average age keeps rising and where the few industries that existed have shut down because of the economic crisis.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
18 May 2026
-
Starting early keeps more options on the table.—
Joshua Sidorowicz,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The backstory This previously residential Edwardian manor house has been turned into a 31-room hotel and members’ club by former Blakes owner Navid Mirtorabi, with the help of business partner Jamie Reuben, a scion of a family that owns swathes of Mayfair.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 May 2026
-
An internal memo detailing the WNBA’s expansion plans indicated that Arctos owns roughly 15% of HBSE via a pair of holding companies.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Concha said the show employs 22 writers to write Colbert’s monologues, according to the show credits.—
Britta Miller,
The Washington Examiner,
22 May 2026
-
In all, the nonprofit employs 31,000 people, with 18 regional hospitals and more than 420 clinics throughout Iowa and portions of Illinois and Wisconsin.—
Kevin Baskins,
Des Moines Register,
21 May 2026
Verb
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His life is both ordinary and extraordinary, and the storytelling holds those seeming opposites in pleasing tension.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Studies have suggested that the pill results in more pronounced weight loss than Foundayo and has certain cardiovascular benefits, but so far, no clinical trial has directly compared the two drugs.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
The year-round surf breaks—including the fast-barreling tubes of Cloud 9, some 30 minutes from the resort—draw most visitors to the island, and Nay Palad’s team has a Rolodex of pro surf instructors on call to show guests the best waves.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Both hires reflect Graham’s desire to improve the Bulls’ ability to identify, acquire and develop talent — critical for a team with two first-round and two second-round picks in this year’s draft.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
They are obligated to pay him until another team hires him and would be on the hook for any differential in salary over that time.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Malik Willis possesses a strong arm There are plenty of factors that go into whether a quarterback is top shelf, or a run-of-the-mill passer — accuracy, mobility, pocket presence, decision-making, clutch playmaking, leadership — but arm strength is a phenomenal luxury to have.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2026
-
No single entity possesses everything needed to deliver comprehensive manufacturing AI.—
Joel Scutchfield,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Queen Camilla enjoys a pint of Guinness during a visit to The Parson's Nose pub in Hillsborough, Northern Ireland, on May 20.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
-
Taiwan enjoys broad support among members of both US parties.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retains. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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