Understanding “Retain”: Definition and Synonyms
Retain – Definition and Part of Speech
Retain is primarily used as a verb, meaning to keep possession of something or continue holding it without losing or discarding it. This can apply in various contexts, such as retaining a job, information, employees, customers, or even one’s composure.
The verb has several grammatical forms:
- Base form: retain
- Past tense: retained
- Present participle/gerund: retaining
Core Synonyms (Table Format)
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keep | To continue to have possession of something. | “She kept her notes safe throughout the semester.” | Casual/General |
| Preserve | To maintain or keep something in its original state. | “The museum preserves ancient artifacts for future generations.” | Formal/Conservative |
| Hold onto | Informal way to suggest maintaining possession. | “He’s holding onto his childhood memories with fondness.” | Informal/Casual |
| Sustain | To continue an activity or condition over time. | “The company sustained its market position despite economic downturns.” | Formal/Business |
| Maintain | To ensure something continues as it is; often implies effort. | “We must maintain the quality of our services to satisfy clients.” | Formal/Professional |
Usage Notes
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Keep: A versatile, informal synonym suitable for casual and everyday contexts. It can describe physical possession (e.g., “keep a book”) or abstract retention (e.g., “keep in touch”).
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Preserve: Often used when the emphasis is on maintaining something’s original state or integrity, especially over time. This makes it ideal for discussions around conservation efforts and archival work.
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Hold onto: This colloquial phrase can be used emotionally, to signify an attachment (e.g., holding onto a memory). It’s less formal, making it suitable for personal storytelling or casual dialogue.
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Sustain: Best suited for contexts requiring continuity over time, often used in professional settings. It conveys a sense of ongoing support and effort (e.g., sustaining an initiative).
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Maintain: Implies active involvement to ensure continuation. Commonly used in technical, business, and academic writing where consistency and quality are priorities.
Common Pitfalls
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Retain vs. Preserve: While both involve keeping something from change or loss, “preserve” suggests a focus on maintaining original condition, often linked with conservation.
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Hold onto vs. Keep: “Hold onto” can imply emotional attachment and is more informal, whereas “keep” is neutral and broadly applicable.
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Retain vs. Sustain: “Sustain” emphasizes ongoing effort and support to keep something in operation or existence; it’s more dynamic compared to “retain,” which implies possession without necessarily the same degree of active engagement.
Final Recap
In expanding your vocabulary, consider using “keep,” “preserve,” “hold onto,” “sustain,” and “maintain” as alternatives to “retain.” Each has subtle nuances that fit different contexts:
- Keep: General, versatile.
- Preserve: Focus on original state.
- Hold onto: Informal/emotional context.
- Sustain: Continuity over time with effort.
- Maintain: Active involvement for consistency.
To enhance your language skills, try constructing sentences using these synonyms in various scenarios—such as writing a professional email or narrating a personal story—and observe how the nuances affect their meaning and tone.