Antonyms for retain

Grammar : Verb

Spell : ri-teyn

Phonetic Transcription : rɪˈteɪn

Definition of retain

Origin : late 14c., "hold back, restrain;" c.1400, "continue keeping, keep possession of," from Old French retenir "keep, retain; take into feudal service; hold back; remember" (12c.), from Latin retinere "hold back, keep back, detain, restrain," from re- "back" (see re-) + tenere "to hold" (see tenet). Meaning "keep (another) attached to one's person, keep in service" is from mid-15c.; specifically of lawyers from 1540s. Meaning "keep in the mind" is from c.1500. Related: Retained; retaining.

verb hold on to physically or mentally
verb hire

Example sentences :

If a servant complained of being abused, his master had no power to retain him.
Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child

For the present, he could not do better than to retain his place in the factory.
Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger

To attempt to eliminate fear and retain this concept of God is vain.
Extract from : « The Conquest of Fear » by Basil King

We should help him to retain their affection and faithfulness.
Extract from : « An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism » by Joseph Stump

If Cass had stolen the money it would never do to retain him in a position of trust.
Extract from : « Thoroughbreds » by W. A. Fraser

My father I slightly remember; but of my mother I retain no distinct impressions.
Extract from : « Ned Myers » by James Fenimore Cooper

At this time, my mother must have been dead; for of her I retain no recollection whatever.
Extract from : « Ned Myers » by James Fenimore Cooper

Possibly should he retain her he could wring a handsome ransom from the white man.
Extract from : « The Monster Men » by Edgar Rice Burroughs

The casing also serves to retain a certain amount of lubricant.
Extract from : « Scientific American Supplement, No. 497, July 11, 1885 » by Various

At his age, it was but natural that the praise of salons should retain all its sweetness.
Extract from : « Alice, or The Mysteries, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Synonyms for retain

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019