1. Definition of “Retaining”
“Retaining” is the present participle of the verb “retain.” It generally means to continue to have, hold, or keep something. For example, “The company is focused on retaining its top talent.” Here, it implies the company's efforts to keep its best employees from leaving.
2. Synonyms
- Maintaining
- “Maintaining” also means to keep something in a particular state or condition. It emphasizes the idea of preservation and continuance. For example, “Maintaining good health requires a balanced diet and regular exercise.” In the context of something like retaining customers, “maintaining” would imply the ongoing efforts to keep them satisfied and loyal, much like “retaining.” However, “maintaining” might have a broader focus on the overall upkeep of a state or thing, while “retaining” is more about holding onto a specific entity or quality.
- Preserving
- “Preserving” means to protect something and keep it from being damaged, lost, or changed. For example, “Preserving historical buildings is essential for our cultural heritage.” When it comes to retaining something, like information or a tradition, “preserving” has a similar connotation of safeguarding it so that it endures. But “preserving” often carries a stronger sense of protection against deterioration or loss than “retaining” does.
- Sustaining
- “Sustaining” means to support something and enable it to continue. For example, “Sustaining a positive attitude during difficult times can be challenging.” In the context of retaining, such as retaining a relationship, “sustaining” emphasizes the aspect of providing the necessary support to keep it going, just as “retaining” focuses on holding onto it. The difference is that “sustaining” may imply more of an active role in keeping something alive or functional.
- Holding onto
- This is a more informal phrase that has a very similar meaning to “retaining.” For example, “He's holding onto his old records because they have sentimental value.” It vividly expresses the physical or metaphorical act of not letting something go, which is the essence of what “retaining” means.