RETAINS Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

retains

verb

present tense third-person singular of retain

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

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

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

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 retains That might seem like no time at all, but the corn emerges juicy, crispy, and tender and retains more of its sweetness and crunch. — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2026 The rock retains water, allowing roots to seek out moisture during the dry summer months. — Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026 Or require compromise to avoid a stalemate, if the Michigan Legislature retains its current partisan split. — Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Baobab retains film, television, streaming and gaming rights to the property. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 That number may determine whether Andy Reid retains a full complement of running backs and tight ends. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026 Caccia noted that consumers increasingly value pieces designed to endure, appreciating clothing that performs better and retains its integrity over time. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026 The new paperback edition retains the classic story that charmed young readers, while bringing a new design and package. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 With the upgrade, Apple retains the size of the M4 Mac mini but packs a new M6 processor to deliver four times better AI performance, two times faster storage and graphics, and 40% better CPU performance, the company says. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retains

Verb

That has forced tankers onto longer routes and pushed up insurance costs, tightening the effective supply of vessels even as global trade keeps moving.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
The 340-pound ball is just soft enough to bounce lightly over bumpy obstacles, but its slight overpressure keeps it relatively firm.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of keeps

Verb

The Indus basin supplies about 80% of the country's irrigated agriculture, a sector that employs 65% of the labor force and represents roughly 25% of Pakistan's gross domestic product, according to data compiled by Chatham House.

— Sam Meredith,Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
The sector employs more than 12,000 workers at over 1,800 firms.

— Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of employs

Verb

Two more advisers, each of whom holds the president’s trust, are also leaving the White House within weeks.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Even if El Niño’s temperature swings stayed exactly the same magnitude, its floods and droughts would still get worse in a warmer world because the hotter atmosphere holds more water vapor.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of holds

Verb

The retailer’s massive shoe collection has tons of trip-ready styles, including water-resistant mules, best-selling sneakers, and flats designed for on-the-go wear.

— Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
The Dune star has five older half siblings from her father’s previous relationship.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of has

Verb

Shikiya’s new gig follows other recent Anonymous Content hires like Liza Burnett Fefferman as chief communications and marketing officer and Michael Sinclair as chief legal officer.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
In the film, cartoon legend Coyote (who can’t speak, of course) hires a reluctant, unambitious lawyer Kevin Avery (East Bay native Will Forte) to be his mouthpiece and legal advocate.

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of hires

Verb

At the same time, the collaboration enjoys enormous gains on two other lists.

— Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Opponents say the current setup is just right and that Iceland already enjoys all the benefits of European integration without the sovereignty compromises that inevitably will come from being a full member.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of enjoys

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retaining

retains

retake

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“Retains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retains. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of retains

verb

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