maintain vs retain

Both 'maintain' and 'retain' are correct English words, but they are used in different contexts. 'Maintain' is commonly used to mean to keep something in a certain state or condition, while 'retain' is often used to mean to keep possession of something or to keep something in place.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 1267 views

The word 'maintain' is correct and commonly used in English.

"maintain"

Use 'maintain' when you want to express the idea of keeping something in a certain state or condition, such as maintaining a garden or maintaining good health.

Examples:

He tries to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
It is important to maintain a positive attitude in difficult situations.

Show examples from the web [+]

Switch batteries to maintain flight controls.
Disable autopilot and maintain manual control.
The spirit of the above considerations is to maintain strong social cohesion, fight poverty and maintain employment.
FBI agents are trained to maintain their distance.
The Knightmare has a reputation to maintain.
We need everybody to maintain prosperity.
Someone with bipolar disorder needs to maintain balance.
Politicians advocate armament as a means to maintain peace.
Have the copter maintain visual contact.
Also helps maintain continuity within the agency.
Juliet-Mike-21... ...climb and maintain 17,000.
European ports have the responsibility to maintain high reliability and safety standards.
We require extra mobiles to maintain watch on coast road.
Repeat administration every six months to maintain efficacy.
Repeat treatment every 6 months to maintain efficacy.
Long-term daily administration is required to maintain an adequate neutrophil count.
Long-term daily administration is required to maintain an adequate neutrophil count.
Member States may adopt or maintain additional pre-contractual information requirements.
Highly developed countries are managing to maintain an almost unchanged environmental situation.
Both of you have a cover to maintain.

Alternatives:

sustain
uphold
preserve
keep
support

The word 'retain' is correct and commonly used in English.

"retain"

Use 'retain' when you want to express the idea of keeping possession of something or keeping something in place, such as retaining ownership of a property or retaining information.

Examples:

She decided to retain ownership of the family business.
The company retains the right to use the data for research purposes.

Show examples from the web [+]

We were seated to retain our sovereignty.
Member States should retain full control of their borders.
The Greek world tried to retain property in families.
Kelly Parker may well retain her title.
This allows it to retain all its nourishment.
It's for composting, which helps soil retain water and nutrients.
Let your life retain some mystery.
Individuals usually retain typical mental and motor development.
Metallic foams typically retain some physical properties of their base material.
Buildings and architecture in Beja still retain many Roman influences.
Please retain this manual for future reference.
That's how they retain authority.
They retain the right to sell outside this structure.
Appropriations under Category 1 must retain their compulsory nature.
The European Union must retain its global competitiveness.
And its core features retain the essentials.
Infrastructure managers should however retain the possibility to reserve capacity.
Milk can effectively retain youthful-looking skin.
Paints flow extremely well and retain their luminosity.
Allows hair to retain the crease longer.

Alternatives:

keep
hold on to
preserve
maintain possession of
keep in place

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maintain vs retain

"maintain"

"retain"

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