SKIP TO CONTENT

retenir

Definitions of retenir
  1. verb
    secure and keep for possible future use or application
    synonyms: garder, réserver
    see moresee less
    type of:
    conserver, garder
    retain possession of
  2. verb
    hold within limits and control
    see moresee less
    type of:
    contrôler, modérer
    lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
  3. verb
    wait before acting
    synonyms: attendre
    see moresee less
    types:
    remettre, retarder
    act later than planned, scheduled, or required
    hésiter
    interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
    atermoyer
    postpone doing what one should be doing
    ajourner, remettre, reporter
    hold back to a later time
    type of:
    agir, entrer en action, prendre des mesures
    perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
  4. verb
    keep under control; keep in check
    synonyms: contenir, garder
    see moresee less
    types:
    enfermer
    prevent from leaving or from being removed
    refouler, étouffer
    control and refrain from showing; of emotions, desires, impulses, or behavior
    contrôler, modérer
    lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
    limiter, restreindre
    place limits on (extent or access)
    brider, réfreiner, réprimer
    to put down by force or authority
    enfermer, fermer à clef, fermer à clé
    place in a place where something cannot be removed or someone cannot escape
    contenir, contraindre, contrôler
    hold within limits and control
    contenir, garder
    keep under control; keep in check
    étouffer
    check or slow down the action or effect of
    limiter, restreindre
    place under restrictions; limit access to
    mettre en espalier, palisser
    cause to grow in a certain way by tying and pruning it
    type of:
    refouler, étouffer
    control and refrain from showing; of emotions, desires, impulses, or behavior
  5. verb
    hold back
    see moresee less
    types:
    mettre la gourmette à
    keep to the curb
    type of:
    limiter, restreindre
    place limits on (extent or access)
  6. verb
    keep in one's mind
    see moresee less
    type of:
    graver dans la mémoire, mémoriser
    keep in mind for attention or consideration
  7. verb
    hold back; refuse to hand over or share
    see moresee less
    types:
    bloquer
    prohibit the conversion or use of (assets)
    refuser
    refuse to grant, as of a petition or request
    priver
    keep from having, keeping, or obtaining
    affamer, mourir de faim, priver de
    deprive of food
    déshériter
    prevent deliberately (as by making a will) from inheriting
    appauvrir
    make poor
    type of:
    refuser
    refuse to let have
  8. verb
    have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
    synonyms: avoir, posséder, réserver
    avoir, comporter, présenter
    have as a feature
    see moresee less
    types:
    garder, maintenir, soutenir
    supply with necessities and support
    conserver, garder
    retain possession of
    avoir en garde, garder, prendre soin de
    look after; be the keeper of; have charge of
    exercer
    have and exercise
    stocker
    have on hand
    avoir, détenir, posséder
    have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices
    refuser
    refuse to let have
    deduire
    retain and refrain from disbursing; of payments
    conserver, préserver, économiser, épargner
    to keep up and reserve for personal or special use
    conserver, entretenir, préserver
    keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction
    emmagasiner, faire des provisions, ranger, s'approvisionner, stocker
    keep or lay aside for future use
    emmagasiner, stocker
    find a place for and put away for storage
    garder, réserver
    secure and keep for possible future use or application
  9. verb
    arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance
    synonyms: réserver
    réserver
    obtain or arrange (for oneself) in advance
    see moresee less
    type of:
    demander, prier
    express the need or desire for; ask for
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘retenir'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family