RETAIN Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'retain' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of retain are detain , keep , reserve , and withhold . While all these words mean "to hold in one's possession or under one's control," retain implies continued keeping, especially against threatened seizure or forced loss. // managed to retain their dignity even in poverty

Q: When is 'detain' a more appropriate choice than 'retain'?

The meanings of detain and retain largely overlap; however, detain suggests a delay in letting go. // detained them for questioning

Q: When might 'keep' be a better fit than 'retain'?

In some situations, the words keep and retain are roughly equivalent. However, keep may suggest a holding securely in one's possession, custody, or control. // keep this while I'm gone

Q: When can 'reserve' be used instead of 'retain'?

The words reserve and retain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reserve suggests a keeping in store for future use. // reserve some of your energy for the last mile

Q: In what contexts can 'withhold' take the place of 'retain'?

The words withhold and retain can be used in similar contexts, but withhold implies restraint in letting go or a refusal to let go. // withheld information from the authorities

retain

verb

ri-ˈtān

Definition of retain next

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word retain distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of retain are detain, keep, reserve, and withhold. While all these words mean "to hold in one's possession or under one's control," retain implies continued keeping, especially against threatened seizure or forced loss.

managed to retain their dignity even in poverty

When is detain a more appropriate choice than retain?

The meanings of detain and retain largely overlap; however, detain suggests a delay in letting go.

detained them for questioning

When might keep be a better fit than retain?

In some situations, the words keep and retain are roughly equivalent. However, keep may suggest a holding securely in one's possession, custody, or control.

keep this while I'm gone

When can reserve be used instead of retain?

The words reserve and retain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reserve suggests a keeping in store for future use.

reserve some of your energy for the last mile

In what contexts can withhold take the place of retain?

The words withhold and retain can be used in similar contexts, but withhold implies restraint in letting go or a refusal to let go.

withheld information from the authorities

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of retain This pattern indicates that the sharks do not retain a long-term memory of their interactions with the boats… and do not develop a lasting association between boats and food. —

Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Along with the wage increase, the new contract gives each worker a $12,000 ratification bonus and retains a performance bonus the company wanted to eliminate. —

David Koenig, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024 Still, the highly bullish Bernstein group retained their $200,000 price target for bitcoin by the end of 2025, regardless of the election result. —

Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 In the third installment, Bazmee retains the tropes of the first two Hindi films: a sprawling palatial mansion in which one room has been locked for years because it’s believed that a specter resides there; a royal family hiding secrets; the mysterious dancing Manjulika. —

Anupama Chopra, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for retain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retain

Verb

The Sharks’ prospect pool was also largely devoid of high-end talent, with the organization trading away multiple first-round draft picks throughout the 2010s for short-term solutions to keep the championship window open.

Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news A keeper at the Oklahoma City Zoo one day noticed that Eko, a Sumatran tiger, kept rubbing his face on the side of the fence, breaking all his whiskers.

Jen McCaffery, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024