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.

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)

cherishKeep (a hope or ambition) in one’s mind.
He needed a woman he could cherish.
cling toHold on tightly or tenaciously.
commissionPut into commission equip for service of ships.
The portrait was commissioned by his widow in 1792.
conserveProtect (something, especially something of environmental or cultural importance) from harm or destruction.
Industry should conserve more water.
continueContinue a certain state condition or activity.
The case was continued without a finding until August 2.
contractEnter into a contractual arrangement.
The paper had contracted to publish extracts from the diaries.
employPut into service make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose.
The firm employs 150 people.
hang on toPrevent from reaching a verdict, of a jury.
have in employmentHave ownership or possession of.
holdHold the attention of.
A crazy idea took hold of him.
hold backTo close within bounds limit or hold back from movement.
hold fast toArrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance.
hold on toArrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance.
keepKeep in a certain state position or activity.
The soldiers removed keeping their course towards Jericho.
keep backFail to spoil or rot.
keep hold ofStop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state.
keep in one's memoryPrevent (food) from rotting.
keep in one's mindConform one’s action or practice to.
keep onAllow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature.
keep on the payrollContinue a certain state, condition, or activity.
keep possession ofStick to correctly or closely.
maintainMaintain by writing regular records.
The need to maintain close links between industry and schools.
memorizeCommit to memory; learn by heart.
Have you memorized your lines for the play yet.
payCancel or discharge a debt.
You ll pay for this opinion later.
perpetuateCause to continue or prevail.
The confusion was perpetuated through inadvertence.
preserveKeep safe from harm or injury.
We preserve these archeological findings.
rememberMention favorably, as in prayer.
After the shelling many people lost the ability to remember.
reserveArrange 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)

accommodateBe agreeable or acceptable to.
This hotel can accommodate 250 guests.
awaitWait for (an event.
Many dangers await them.
awningA 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.
bearHave rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices.
No one likes to bear the responsibility for such decisions.
belongBe a member, adherent, inhabitant, etc. (of a group, organization, or place.
Such statements do not belong in a modern student textbook.
bindBind by an obligation cause to be indebted.
We have many ties that bind us historical cultural and economical.
carryThe act of carrying something.
The airwaves carry the sound.
coherenceThe state of cohering or sticking together.
The group began to lose coherence and the artists took separate directions.
conserveFruit preserved by cooking with sugar.
Highly conserved regions of the protein.
containBe capable of holding or containing.
This can contains water.
depositoryA facility where things can be deposited for storage or safekeeping.
Irish libraries became depositories for material from all over the world.
embraceThe 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.
gnashGrind together, of teeth.
No doubt he is gnashing his teeth in rage.
grabA quick sudden clutch or attempt to seize.
He made a grab at the pistol.
gripTo grip or seize as in a wrestling match.
It was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip.
haveHave left.
I don t have that much money on me.
holdA stronghold.
Hold your breath.
impoundPlace or shut up in a pound.
It will impound a reservoir 130 miles long.
includeAllow (someone) to share in an activity or privilege.
We must include this chemical element in the group.
keepCause to continue in a certain state position or activity e g keep clean.
Where do you keep your gardening tools.
maintainMaintain by writing regular records.
Maintain a record.
maintenanceMeans of maintenance of a family or group.
Car maintenance.
ownHave something as one s own possess.
A state owned company.
postponementAct of putting off to a future time.
The postponement of the elections.
preserveA foodstuff made with fruit preserved in sugar such as jam or marmalade.
A jar of cherry preserve.
retentionThe action of absorbing and continuing to hold a substance.
The retention of direct control by central government.
stabilizeSupport or hold steady and make steadfast, with or as if with a brace.
The craft was stabilized by throwing out the remaining ballast.
storehouseA large supply of something.
An enormous storehouse of facts.
tangencyA junction where things (as two electrical conductors) touch or are in physical contact.
upholdStand up for; stick up for; of causes, principles, or ideals.
They uphold a tradition of not causing distress to living creatures.
Alexei

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