to retain

Examples

• All

• First of all, he said that, quote, we are prepared to retain the current rate for longer.

• We logged all data collected in field journals and retained them for future reference.

  Academic text (2011)

• The second question then is, are we likely to retain any training rights?

• It's maybe less likely to retain that touch DNA than the button.

• As a result, law firms must continue to attract, develop, and retain talented lawyers.

  Academic text (2017)

• Urban families in Morocco, as in other developing countries, often retain close ties to the countryside.

  Academic text (1992)

• The problem: Motivating and retaining staff had become an ongoing problem at the student newspaper.

  Academic text (2013)

• Federal prosecutors would retain their absolute discretion over whether to indict and what to charge.

  Academic text (2017)

• Excavations have shown that the owners erected a retaining wall in an attempt to control the runoff.

  Academic text (2011)

• The sleeping mask helps retain moisture in your skin.

Synonyms

K

to keep

vsto retain

∞ 1.0

To continue doing something or stay in the same state

focuses on preventing exit or escape rather than ongoing condition

H

to hold

vsto retain

∞ 1.9

To stop yourself from showing a feeling or reaction

keeps something inside rather than allowing it to go out

M

to maintain

vsto retain

931 3.1

Keep an activity, quality, or schedule going over time

keeps something physically inside rather than simply continuing it

P

to preserve

vsto retain

496 3.4

To keep people and things safe from harm or change

keeps something inside by preventing it from leaving or escaping

C

to contain

vsto retain

388 3.5

To keep something dangerous from spreading or getting worse

keeps things inside specifically to prevent them leaving or escaping

H

to hold onto

vsto retain

180 3.0

To keep something and not let it go

keeps something inside by stopping it from leaving or escaping

H

to hold on

vsto retain

72 1.6

To keep something instead of selling or giving it away

keeps something inside or contained rather than only owning it

H

to hold back

vsto retain

17 3.2

Keep something for later use

keeps something inside in order to stop it escaping now

K

to keep back

vsto retain

2 2.8

Save part of something to use later

keeps something inside by preventing its release now

Antonyms

R

to release

∞ 1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

E

to expel

34 5.0

Push out a substance, for example gas from a body or container

How Well Contained

trap

752 2.0

to contain

388 3.5

to retain

60 3.0

to hold

840 1.4

to keep

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology