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, 12 May 2026
Under current North Carolina law, Charlotte is required to send 90% of citation revenue to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, with the remaining 10% retained by the city for administrative costs.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026
Wendy Choo retained the Evolve Women’s Championship as her match with Laynie Luck went to a no contest.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
On the witness stand, Nadella testified that OpenAI retained its independence even as the Microsoft-OpenAI partnership deepened over time.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 11 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
Gray retained his position at full-back for Leeds’ 1-0 defeat to Southampton in the play-off final.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Van retained the title and a rematch with former champ Alexandre Pantoja is now the obvious next step at 125.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
In laboratory tests, full cells using this electrolyte retained 80 percent of their initial capacity after 500 cycles.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 9 May 2026
Verb
First Residence retained a slightly quieter, more residential feel.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
Under current North Carolina law, Charlotte is required to send 90% of citation revenue to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, with the remaining 10% retained by the city for administrative costs.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026
Wendy Choo retained the Evolve Women’s Championship as her match with Laynie Luck went to a no contest.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
On the witness stand, Nadella testified that OpenAI retained its independence even as the Microsoft-OpenAI partnership deepened over time.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 11 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
Gray retained his position at full-back for Leeds’ 1-0 defeat to Southampton in the play-off final.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Van retained the title and a rematch with former champ Alexandre Pantoja is now the obvious next step at 125.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
In laboratory tests, full cells using this electrolyte retained 80 percent of their initial capacity after 500 cycles.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retained
Adjective
-
In the Village Voice, where the Consumer Guide became one of the fabled alt-weekly’s go-to features from the ’70s through the ’90s, Christgau wrote like a possessed fan who breathed insight, making every capsule sound like a psychedelic sonnet.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
29 Mar. 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
-
The Fresno State product didn’t exactly wow with size — a visible tick shy of a 5-foot-11 pre-draft measurement — but displayed solid timing and kept the rhythm humming on Saturday.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
10 May 2026
-
Santa Margarita’s baseball team finished in last place in the Trinity League, but the Eagles kept practicing even after their final regular-season game.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Deborah Weymouth was the CEO of ECHN, the entity that owned Manchester and Rockville hospital, for more than six years, from September 2019 to January 2026.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Prosecutors allege Price failed to disclose payments received by a company owned by his wife from developers and public agencies with matters pending before the City Council, and failed to recuse himself from votes involving those projects.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
State troopers have employed helicopters in the manhunt.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
-
An investigation into the two incidents led authorities to name Wynter as a suspect, while also revealing that he is employed as a driver for Lyft.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
6 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
-
After an initial miss, Jefferson had four makes in a row, needing one save to clinch the win.—
Sarah Spencer,
AJC.com,
13 May 2026
-
Nurse, who has had to deal with multiple challenges during his time with the Sixers, will remain a constant, at least for the near future.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Malden Catholic has hired Arthur Staffiere as its next coach.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
-
Varas had one more point to make about his phone conversation with Lozano soon after the coach had been hired.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
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City Council members criticized the proposal this week, calling the festival a key part of San Diego’s civic fabric that should be preserved if at all possible.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Audiences can rest assured that the emotional core that secured the play’s spot in the theater canon will be preserved no matter what changes are made.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retained. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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