Categories: GeneralSynonyms

RETAIN: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for RETAIN?

Need another word that means the same as “retain”? Find 28 synonyms and 30 related words for “retain” in this overview.

Table Of Contents:

Retain as a Verb
Definitions of "Retain" as a verb
Synonyms of "Retain" as a verb (28 Words)
Usage Examples of "Retain" as a verb
Associations of "Retain" (30 Words)

The synonyms of “Retain” are: hold, hold back, keep back, continue, keep, keep on, keep possession of, keep hold of, hold on to, hold fast to, hang on to, cling to, maintain, preserve, reserve, conserve, perpetuate, cherish, remember, memorize, keep in one's mind, keep in one's memory, employ, commission, contract, pay, keep on the payroll, have in employment

Retain as a Verb

Definitions of "Retain" as a verb

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “retain” as a verb can have the following definitions:

Allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature.
Keep in one's mind.
Hold back within.
Continue to have (something); keep possession of.
Keep (something) in place; hold fixed.
Absorb and continue to hold (a substance.
Secure the services of (a barrister) with a preliminary payment.
Not abolish or alter; maintain.
Secure and keep for possible future use or application.
Keep (someone) engaged in one's service.
Keep in one's memory.

Synonyms of "Retain" as a verb (28 Words)

cherish	Keep (a hope or ambition) in one’s mind. He needed a woman he could cherish.
cling to	Hold on tightly or tenaciously.
commission	Put into commission equip for service of ships. The portrait was commissioned by his widow in 1792.
conserve	Protect (something, especially something of environmental or cultural importance) from harm or destruction. Industry should conserve* more water.*
continue	Continue a certain state condition or activity. The case was continued without a finding until August 2.
contract	Enter into a contractual arrangement. The paper had contracted to publish extracts from the diaries.
employ	Put into service make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose. The firm employs 150 people.
hang on to	Prevent from reaching a verdict, of a jury.
have in employment	Have ownership or possession of.
hold	Hold the attention of. A crazy idea took hold* of him.*
hold back	To close within bounds limit or hold back from movement.
hold fast to	Arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance.
hold on to	Arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance.
keep	Keep in a certain state position or activity. The soldiers removed keeping their course towards Jericho.
keep back	Fail to spoil or rot.
keep hold of	Stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state.
keep in one's memory	Prevent (food) from rotting.
keep in one's mind	Conform one’s action or practice to.
keep on	Allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature.
keep on the payroll	Continue a certain state, condition, or activity.
keep possession of	Stick to correctly or closely.
maintain	Maintain by writing regular records. The need to maintain* close links between industry and schools.*
memorize	Commit to memory; learn by heart. Have you memorized your lines for the play yet.
pay	Cancel or discharge a debt. You ll pay* for this opinion later.*
perpetuate	Cause to continue or prevail. The confusion was perpetuated through inadvertence.
preserve	Keep safe from harm or injury. We preserve* these archeological findings.*
remember	Mention favorably, as in prayer. After the shelling many people lost the ability to remember.
reserve	Arrange for and reserve something for someone else in advance. A place was reserved for her in the front row.

Usage Examples of "Retain" as a verb

I retain this drug for a long time.
The dam retains the water.
Built in 1830, the house retains many of its original features.
The landlord retained the security deposit.
I retained a few French words and phrases.
She retains a lawyer.
She retained her composure.
Limestone is known to retain water.
Labour retained the seat.
This soil retains water.
Retain a barrister to handle the client's business.
This garment retains its shape even after many washings.
He has been retained as a freelance.
The rights of defendants must be retained.
I cannot retain so much information.
The successful design of a cartridge belt requires that the cartridges in it be properly located and retained in that position.

Associations of "Retain" (30 Words)

accommodate	Be agreeable or acceptable to. This hotel can accommodate* 250 guests.*
await	Wait for (an event. Many dangers await* them.*
awning	A sheet of canvas or other material stretched on a frame and used to keep the sun or rain off a shop window, doorway, or ship’s deck.
bear	Have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices. No one likes to bear* the responsibility for such decisions.*
belong	Be a member, adherent, inhabitant, etc. (of a group, organization, or place. Such statements do not belong* in a modern student textbook.*
bind	Bind by an obligation cause to be indebted. We have many ties that bind* us historical cultural and economical.*
carry	The act of carrying something. The airwaves carry* the sound.*
coherence	The state of cohering or sticking together. The group began to lose coherence* and the artists took separate directions.*
conserve	Fruit preserved by cooking with sugar. Highly conserved regions of the protein.
contain	Be capable of holding or containing. This can contains water.
depository	A facility where things can be deposited for storage or safekeeping. Irish libraries became depositories for material from all over the world.
embrace	The act of clasping another person in the arms (as in greeting or affection. Totalitarianism has meant that no interest falls outside the embrace* of the state.*
gnash	Grind together, of teeth. No doubt he is gnashing his teeth in rage.
grab	A quick sudden clutch or attempt to seize. He made a grab* at the pistol.*
grip	To grip or seize as in a wrestling match. It was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip.
have	Have left. I don t have* that much money on me.*
hold	A stronghold. Hold your breath.
impound	Place or shut up in a pound. It will impound* a reservoir 130 miles long.*
include	Allow (someone) to share in an activity or privilege. We must include* this chemical element in the group.*
keep	Cause to continue in a certain state position or activity e g keep clean. Where do you keep* your gardening tools.*
maintain	Maintain by writing regular records. Maintain a record.
maintenance	Means of maintenance of a family or group. Car maintenance.
own	Have something as one s own possess. A state owned company.
postponement	Act of putting off to a future time. The postponement* of the elections.*
preserve	A foodstuff made with fruit preserved in sugar such as jam or marmalade. A jar of cherry preserve.
retention	The action of absorbing and continuing to hold a substance. The retention* of direct control by central government.*
stabilize	Support or hold steady and make steadfast, with or as if with a brace. The craft was stabilized by throwing out the remaining ballast.
storehouse	A large supply of something. An enormous storehouse* of facts.*
tangency	A junction where things (as two electrical conductors) touch or are in physical contact.
uphold	Stand up for; stick up for; of causes, principles, or ideals. They uphold* a tradition of not causing distress to living creatures.*