Definitions and Examples of assumed, retained, held on to
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
To take on or undertake a position, responsibility, or power.
Example
After the CEO resigned, John assumed the role of interim CEO.
To keep or hold on to a position, responsibility, or power.
Example
Despite the company's financial struggles, the CEO retained his position.
Key Differences: assumed vs retained vs held on to
- 1Assumed implies taking on a new role or responsibility.
- 2Retained suggests keeping or holding on to an existing position or responsibility.
- 3Held on to conveys the idea of maintaining or not letting go of a position or responsibility.
Effective Usage of assumed, retained, held on to
- 1Business: Use assumed to describe taking on a new role or responsibility.
- 2Politics: Use retained to describe keeping or holding on to an existing position or responsibility.
- 3Everyday Life: Use held on to to describe maintaining or not letting go of a position or responsibility.
Remember this!
The antonyms of abdicated convey the opposite meaning of giving up or renouncing a position, responsibility, or power. Use assumed to describe taking on a new role or responsibility, retained to describe keeping or holding on to an existing position or responsibility, and held on to to describe maintaining or not letting go of a position or responsibility.