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
Samantha Subin, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2024
The proposals call out warnings around discriminatory lawsuits like that of Starbucks, retaining a chief diversity officer position, and citing concern over Costco's unwavering commitment to equity.
—Simone E. Morris, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
While this is all very restomod-y, Tolman's has kept the Mini's original appeal by retaining a lot of its original parts such as the Tartan Red with black roof color scheme, headlining and brightwork.
—Matthew MacConnell, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Roadmap WoW Classic is a relatively recent addition to the franchise, retaining the core aspects and charm of the original game.
—Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
The term entered Middle English in the late 15th century, retaining the sense of attaching or adding something.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
That idea is central to what has made Remedy games so special over the years — each one introduces wildly new ideas and mechanics, retaining that creative spark that Remedy is known for, while building up to something larger.
—Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 2024
The year began with Bangladesh’s long-time leader and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina retaining power in an election boycotted by the opposition, only to resign and flee the country after weeks of student protests following the elections.
—Curtis S. Chin and Jose B. Collazo, CNBC, 25 Dec. 2024
The children retaining a strong Jewish identity was paramount for Jen Rogers because of her own family history — three of her grandparents fled Nazi Germany.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
More than half of Wall Street analysts maintain a hold rating on the stock, with nearly a third retaining a sell or underweight rating, according to FactSet.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2024
The proposals call out warnings around discriminatory lawsuits like that of Starbucks, retaining a chief diversity officer position, and citing concern over Costco's unwavering commitment to equity.
—Simone E. Morris, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
While this is all very restomod-y, Tolman's has kept the Mini's original appeal by retaining a lot of its original parts such as the Tartan Red with black roof color scheme, headlining and brightwork.
—Matthew MacConnell, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Roadmap WoW Classic is a relatively recent addition to the franchise, retaining the core aspects and charm of the original game.
—Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
The term entered Middle English in the late 15th century, retaining the sense of attaching or adding something.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
That idea is central to what has made Remedy games so special over the years — each one introduces wildly new ideas and mechanics, retaining that creative spark that Remedy is known for, while building up to something larger.
—Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 2024
The year began with Bangladesh’s long-time leader and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina retaining power in an election boycotted by the opposition, only to resign and flee the country after weeks of student protests following the elections.
—Curtis S. Chin and Jose B. Collazo, CNBC, 25 Dec. 2024
The children retaining a strong Jewish identity was paramount for Jen Rogers because of her own family history — three of her grandparents fled Nazi Germany.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 24 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retaining
Noun
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The best way to overcome this skepticism is to speak their language and tie coaching outcomes to measurable business metrics like team productivity, retention rates and innovation cycles.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Some base layers have a touch of spandex for shape retention.—
Maggie Slepian,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Van Dijk will not enjoy the replays either but Liverpool’s captain responded in a way that should remind everyone — in the week that Salah’s new contract was announced — about the importance of keeping the Dutchman at Anfield.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
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This hat offers a throwback ‘90s look while keeping you stylish and protected.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Those who don’t have Russian documents face the daily threat of arrest and deportation to Russia, have no right to work, no access to even the most basic health services or pensions and are barred from owning property.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
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Having a peace force like the United States there, controlling and owning the Gaza Strip would be a good thing.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Part of this would be through a shift in cost share, employing state budgets to aid in covering SNAP—a program for which benefit costs have historically been covered by the federal government.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
29 Mar. 2025
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This included suspending or expelling students involved in the 2024 Hamilton Hill occupation, employing additional security staff, and ordering a review of programs related to the Middle East.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Its largest holding represents just 3.8% of the total portfolio at fair value, and most investments are less than 1%.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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The deepening of President Donald Trump's trade war with China could push the country—the second-largest holder of U.S. debt—to dump its Treasury holdings, sending mortgage rates skyrocketing for millions of Americans.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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A day—or week—of being surrounded by flowering, textural plants while doing good for the future by preserving the past provides lasting benefits and more fragrant spaces for all.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
12 Apr. 2025
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Show Them Some Love Regular maintenance, including cleaning, is key for preserving your collection.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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New research found that having more menopause symptoms was linked to worse cognitive and behavioral function, which are markers of dementia.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Health,
11 Apr. 2025
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Not for this year’s draft, unfortunately, but having 2026 and 2027 picks from an aging Lightning squad isn’t a bad bet at all.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Palm Beach County needs to get a lot more serious about hiring its first new county administrator in a decade.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2025
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The board also approved unanimously a district policy that bans an employee from evaluating, hiring or working on the same campus as an immediate family member.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retaining. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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