Obtain and Retain

Obtain

Obtain verb - To receive as return for effort.

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Retain and obtain are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Retain" instead a verb "Obtain".

Nearby Words: obtained, obtainable, obtaining

Retain verb - To continue to have in one's possession or power.

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Obtain and retain are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Obtain" instead a verb "Retain".

Nearby Words: retainer, retaining

ability	obtain ability	retain ability
power	obtain power	retain power
part	obtain part	retain part
position	obtain position	retain position
Other words: body, status, control, knowledge, form, information, title, items, skills, rights, powers, weapons, abilities.

He serves as a Living MacGuffin, with various Upper Class Twits constantly plotting to either obtain or retain his peerless services.

Source: Supreme Chef
Enemies that obtain double speed, such as when waking up after you use a Scroll of Sleep, also retain the speed bonus for much longer than you.

Source: My Rules Are Not Your Rules
The only way to obtain them is to destroy your dungeon and start again from scratch; however, you do retain the ability to buy any higher-level raiders and traps that you've unlocked.

Source: Website / FunOrb

Cite this Source

Retain and Obtain. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 31, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/obtain/retain

Obtain & Retain. N.p., 2016. Web. 31 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/obtain/retain>.

Retain or Obtain. 2016. Accessed July 31, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/obtain/retain.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "obtain" and "retain" have occurred on timeline