Synonyms for retain

Verb

1. retain, hold, bear, carry, contain

usage: hold within; "This soil retains water"; "I retain this drug for a long time"

2. retain, continue, keep, keep on, keep going, prolong, sustain, keep up

usage: allow to remain in a place or position; "We cannot continue several servants any longer"; "She retains a lawyer"; "The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff"; "Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on"; "We kept the work going as long as we could"

3. retain, hold, keep back, hold back, keep, hold on

usage: secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree"

4. retain, remember, think of

usage: keep in one's mind; "I cannot retain so much information"