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
Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2026
The fabric is the smooth, soft feel that Lululemon is famous for, while still being breathable, sweat-wicking, and shape-retaining.
—Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Lynch retaining seems likely, but Bella’s presence brings nostalgia and star power for the international audience.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
John Hopewell, Variety, 19 June 2026
For Nieves, the secret in gaining new dads and retaining others is simplicity.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
In addition to Pauley’s appointment, PMC executive Tom Finn will become chief operating officer of PMX while retaining his existing responsibilities, and longtime PMC finance executive Ken Delalcazar will assume the role of chief financial officer for the new division.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 18 June 2026
For Waititi, the film has lots of comedic parts while retaining the pensive beauty of the original text.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 18 June 2026
With constant discussion for over a decade of trouble recruiting and retaining teachers, many studies (of varying degrees of scientific rigor) have been conducted.
—Peter Greene, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
The live feed for the ceremony, with an eye on retaining the museum’s focus on everyday stories, cut at times to actress Marsai Martin, interviewing everyday people on the Midway.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2026
According to Higgins, many over-the-counter products can cause or worsen high blood pressure by constricting your blood vessels or retaining water in your body.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 11 June 2026
Should the Heat, for example, deal for Antetokounmpo, such a transaction could come at the cost of several prospects from the Heat’s developmental pipeline, potentially putting more of a priority on retaining Johnson.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2026
Noun
Older people have a harder time producing, retaining, and circulating body heat.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2026
The fabric is the smooth, soft feel that Lululemon is famous for, while still being breathable, sweat-wicking, and shape-retaining.
—Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Apr. 2026
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
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
As ever, the challenge is to deliver something fresh while retaining the essence of the hugely popular original, released over 1995-2004.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 19 June 2026
For Nieves, the secret in gaining new dads and retaining others is simplicity.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
In addition to Pauley’s appointment, PMC executive Tom Finn will become chief operating officer of PMX while retaining his existing responsibilities, and longtime PMC finance executive Ken Delalcazar will assume the role of chief financial officer for the new division.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 18 June 2026
For Waititi, the film has lots of comedic parts while retaining the pensive beauty of the original text.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 18 June 2026
With constant discussion for over a decade of trouble recruiting and retaining teachers, many studies (of varying degrees of scientific rigor) have been conducted.
—Peter Greene, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
The live feed for the ceremony, with an eye on retaining the museum’s focus on everyday stories, cut at times to actress Marsai Martin, interviewing everyday people on the Midway.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2026
According to Higgins, many over-the-counter products can cause or worsen high blood pressure by constricting your blood vessels or retaining water in your body.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 11 June 2026
Should the Heat, for example, deal for Antetokounmpo, such a transaction could come at the cost of several prospects from the Heat’s developmental pipeline, potentially putting more of a priority on retaining Johnson.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaining
Noun
-
Apple's Portfolio Emphasises Luxury iPhone Margins Apple’s portfolio strategy emphasises mass market retention with a steady price, while extracting the maximum value from the luxury consumer segment.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
Incorporating compost into the soil each season can also provide a slow, steady source of nutrients while improving soil structure and moisture retention.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Master beekeeper Nicole Palladino is keeping the rooftop at the Westfield Century City shopping center buzzing with activity, as about 30,000 bees work to make honey.—
Kara Finnstrom,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
In line with existing sleep hygiene guidelines, Winter suggests keeping your bedroom between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Verb
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To be eligible for homes, applicants must meet certain criteria, including not owning a home and having a minimum household income of $42,000.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
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In the 20th and early 21st centuries, that meant owning a broadcast network (like Fox) or cable channels (Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, and pre-Disney sell-off FX).—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Throughout his career, the multidisciplinary artist experimented with various mediums, ranging from painting and photography to assemblages, even employing digital technologies like the iPad.—
Annabelle Dufraigne,
Architectural Digest,
12 June 2026
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Zoli’s lofty warehouse space continues Amant’s design sensibility, employing and elevating simple materials like concrete, brick, and wood, which, says Ebers, are visually warm and acoustically beneficial (a boon nowadays when having a conversation in a restaurant can be increasingly challenging).—
Fiorella Valdesolo,
Vogue,
11 June 2026
Noun
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The Hotchkis family has been downsizing its real estate holdings over the past year.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
18 June 2026
-
State media reported earlier this month that some executives and major shareholders at A-share chipmakers — those traded on the mainland — have rushed to sell holdings this year to cash in on the AI rally.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Instead, those investigations are handled by an internal group of Air Force specialists tasked with collecting evidence, preserving it and interviewing witnesses.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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The chemists redesigned the MOF structure with atomic precision, tuning its desorption profile while preserving its stability and low-humidity adsorption.—
Dr. Samer Taha,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
And director Spike Lee was having the time of his life on top of a bus.—
Amina Kilpatrick,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
-
The decision set new limits on federal prosecution of gun owners who are targeted simply for having a history of drug use.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Employers are hiring fewer young people, citing an experience gap and rising minimum wages that make inexperienced youth less attractive.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
The firm says inflation, oil prices and cautious hiring are likely to lead to even fewer jobs this year, resulting in the lowest summer hiring total for teens since the federal government began tracking it in 1948.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaining. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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