retain | Definition of retain

1 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 of retain

hold, keep, reserve, withhold

Words Related to retain

conserve, guard, preserve, protect, save

boast, enjoy, have, own, possess

command, control, detain, direct, manage, rule

bear, harbor

cherish, cling (to), hug, treasure

Phrases Synonymous with retain

hang on to, hold on to

Near Antonyms of retain

abandon, cede, drop

contribute, donate, give, hand out

discard, dump

decline, reject, repudiate, spurn

lose

Antonyms of retain

give up, hand over, release, relinquish, surrender, yield

2 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 of retain

command, enjoy, have, hold, own, possess

Words Related to retain

keep, reserve, withhold

bear, carry

boast, show off, sport

Phrases Synonymous with retain

rejoice in

Near Antonyms of retain

abandon, cede, disclaim, disown, hand over, relinquish, renounce, surrender, yield

discard, dump

decline, reject, repudiate, spurn

need, require

Antonyms of retain

lack, want

3 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 of retain

assume, employ, engage, fee [chiefly Scottish], hire, lay on [chiefly British], pay, place, recruit, sign (up or on), take on

Words Related to retain

reemploy, reengage, rehire

apprentice, contract, job, partner, subcontract

enlist

advance, promote, upgrade

keep (on)

headhunt, scout

Near Antonyms of retain

furlough, lay off, lock out

Antonyms of retain

ax (or axe), can, discharge, dismiss, fire, sack

Synonyms and Antonyms of retain

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