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

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

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 retain The Top 90 finishers on the PGA Tour Championship Series points list will retain their membership cards for the following year, and those 90 players will also qualify for the Championship Series Finale. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 In addition, Pitarch has been handed an improved contract and is now considered a first-team player, despite retaining a Castilla squad number. — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 25 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 But get past the hype, and what follows is a good example of how to conduct deeply personal journalistic work that retains both a level of compassion and criticism. — Becca James, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retain

Verb

In a rebuttal argument, prosecutor Marc DiGiacomo pointed to a scrapbook Davis kept containing articles about Shakur.

— Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Details of the contract have been mostly kept secret, as both companies said the agreement contained confidential business information.

— Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of keep

Verb

This metric measures the proportion of the working-age population that is either employed or actively seeking employment.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The same restraint applies to professors, who will not be permitted to employ AI to write syllabuses or course materials.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of employ

Verb

Namely, a forgiving elastic waistband, a breezy, lightweight feel, and pockets that are actually deep enough to hold your essentials.

— Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026
The bag is big enough to hold all your travel essentials—even a small umbrella or tablet—and features two slip pockets and one zip pocket inside.

— Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of hold

Verb

Eisenhower possessed iron discipline, sunny self-confidence and a mind that loved organizational challenges.

— John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Ticket sales Assembly Bill 1349 would prohibit sellers from offering or marketing tickets to concerts and sporting events by a person that doesn’t actually possess the ticket.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of possess

Verb

Serving as the territory’s secretary of education between 2013 and 2017, overseeing all of its public schools from kindergarten through high school, he was recruited to Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 as a teacher.

— Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Somebody had to recruit before UCF was a recognizable national brand.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of recruit

Verb

Charles Bradshaw, community plans and liaison officer at Naval Base Coronado, said the bridge preserves vital defense access as part of the strategic highway network.

— David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026
Toll Brothers may have worked to preserve more oak trees than before, but this isn’t the last time Folsom will likely hear about preserving oak woodland.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of preserve

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retails

retain

retained

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“Retain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retain. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of retain

verb

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