to remain

Examples

• All

• She remains relevant, and she remains part of the nation's identity.

  Diana: Life in Fashion (2022)

• Finally, the human rights situation in Syria remains appalling and shows no signs of improving.

  Academic text (2011)

• And after that our side will remain out in the cold.

  Harvard University

• Such a result was, and I think remains, worth working for.

  Stanford

• The world below must remain your home.

  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)

• And in all of this, we must always remain humble.

• They chose that Scotland should remain part of the United Kingdom.

• However, the grief and memories are not gone; they remain and are accessible anytime.

  Academic text (2011)

• Yet Africa's crop production remains the lowest in the world.

• The scientist assured everyone that their findings would remain valid despite the controversy.

Synonyms

S

to stay

vsto remain

∞ 1.0

To remain in one place and not leave

is the more formal choice often used in written or formal speech

S

to stick

vsto remain

∞ 3.5

To stay loyal to someone or a group

is used for general continuing existence rather than loyalty or attachment

L

to last

vsto remain

∞ 1.0

To continue for a period of time

highlights duration over location or unchanging condition instead

H

to hold

vsto remain

∞ 1.4

To remain true or valid in a situation

describes being passively in that state rather than actively keeping it

S

to stay on

vsto remain

685 3.4

To remain in a place or job after others leave

emphasizes doing this after others leave rather than general ongoing presence

S

to stick around

vsto remain

• Informal

326 2.9

Stay in a place to wait for something

is the general idea of continuing to exist rather than waiting in place

L

to linger

vsto remain

215 3.7

To stay in a place longer than expected because you do not want to leave

describes staying without implying longer than expected duration or reluctance

C

to continue

vsto remain

214 1.0

To stay in the same job or role

focuses on being in a place or condition rather than ongoing action

S

to stay put

vsto remain

• Informal

126 2.0

Remain in the same place without moving

covers not only physical location but also states and conditions

S

to stand still

vsto remain

119 1.0

Stay upright in one place without moving

refers to not moving physically, rather than existing unchanged in other ways

R

to reside

vsto remain

• Formal

50 4.0

To be a quality or power present in something

is about inherent presence within something rather than continuing in place or state

E

to endure

vsto remain

46 3.6

To continue to exist for a long time despite problems

means lasting despite hardship, not simply continuing without challenge

S

to stay in place

vsto remain

19 1.5

Not move from a place

is broader, covering being fixed in place and continuing in states

P

to persist

vsto remain

• Formal

1 5.2

To stay in a place for a long time

is less formal and covers simple continuing existence without stressing duration

Antonyms

L

to leave

∞ 1.0

To go away from a place, person, or group

C

to change

∞ 1.0

To make something or someone different

Idioms

R

to remain to be seen

63 5.3

We do not yet know what will happen

Phrasal Verbs

R

to remain firm

3 4.4

Keep the same decision even when others disagree

R

to remain stagnant

2 5.8

To stay the same without improving

R

to remain afloat

1 5.3

To have enough money to keep going and avoid failure

R

to remain down

1 8.1

To stay on the ground while the referee counts to ten and lose the match

How Long

to persist

50 3.7

to linger

215 3.7

to remain

∞ 1.0

to continue

145 1.0

to stay

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology