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to retain

to retain

236 3.4
To keep having something such as a job or possession
  • verb
  • /rɪˈteɪn/
translation icon : mantener
  • The company aims to retain its top employees by offering better benefits.
  • retain control
  • retain power
  • retain support

No, the second big piece of the revenue model is retaining some ownership.

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Examples

  • When these companies were sold, he additionally enabled them to retain ownership of the land.

  • They retain the religion of their forefathers.

  • If that change works, people retain it and the whole culture works.

  • But how do we somehow continue to retain a hope?

  • You will retain the rank and title of Roman senator.

  • You cannot undermine the rule of law and expect to retain a stable system.

  • He lost much of his past, but he did retain factual knowledge about the world.

  • But she still retains her lands and her status as an honored warrior.

  • After all, the farmer retains some rights to access and to use the easement area.

    Academic text (2017)
  • It is important to retain our cultural traditions for future generations.

Synonyms

to keep
vsto retain
1.0

To continue doing something or stay in the same state

is the basic idea of continuing to have something rather than changing it
to hold
vsto retain
1.3

To keep something for someone to use later

focuses more generally on continuing to have or control something now
to save
vsto retain
1.0

Keep something for use later

is the general act of continuing to have something now rather than saving it
to maintain
vsto retain
931 3.1

Keep an activity, quality, or schedule going over time

is about continuing to have or keep something rather than ensuring continuity
to preserve
vsto retain
496 3.4

To keep people and things safe from harm or change

means simply to continue having something, not specifically to protect it
to hold onto
vsto retain
180 3.0

To keep something and not let it go

applies more widely to holding roles, qualities, or ownership rather than grip
to hold on
vsto retain
72 1.6

To keep something instead of selling or giving it away

is broader, covering keeping roles, qualities, or possessions, not only items
to keep open
vsto retain
54 3.1

Leave an option available for later use

means continuing to have something now rather than keeping options open
to keep on
vsto retain
24 2.2

Continue to have someone working for you

is broader, applying to keeping possessions, qualities, or positions alike
to hold back
vsto retain
17 3.2

Keep something for later use

is about continuing possession broadly, not specifically reserving for later use
to keep back
vsto retain
2 2.8

Save part of something to use later

covers the general idea of continuing to have something, not only reserving it
retained
vsto retain
3.8

Something a person still remembers, uses, or keeps

is the present action of continuing to have or keep something
maintained
vsto retain
3.2

Kept in use or memory for a long time

expresses the action of continuing to have or keep rather than the result

Antonyms

1.0

Not be able to find something you once had

773 3.1

Leave someone or something behind permanently and without care

How Securely

to preserve
496 3.4
to retain
236 3.4
to maintain
931 3.1
to hold onto
180 3.0
to keep
1.0

Surface Forms

retain infinitive
retained past
retained past participle
retaining present participle
retains third person singular

Etymology

Retain comes from the Latin parts re- 'back' and tenere 'to hold'. It is like the word contain and means to 'hold' something so you keep it, which is why you can retain a job, a quality, or a possession.