retain (B1)
verb
Pronunciation: /rɪˈteɪn/
Definition
To keep or continue to have something, especially a skill, quality, or possession.
Examples
She managed to retain her composure during the crisis.
It's important to retain a sense of humor, even in difficult times.
The company hopes to retain its best employees by offering competitive salaries.
How to Use retain
- retain possession of (prepositional phrase)
- To keep control or ownership of something. — "The refugees were not allowed to retain possession of their belongings."
- retain control of (prepositional phrase)
- To keep power or authority over something. — "The military managed to retain control of the capital city."
- retain staff (collocation)
- To keep employees working for a company. — "High salaries are crucial for retaining skilled staff."
- retain memory (collocation)
- To keep information or experiences in one's mind. — "Certain types of music can help you retain new vocabulary."
Synonyms of retain
Words with a similar meaning to retain:
Antonyms of retain
Words with the opposite meaning to retain:
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