Definitions and Examples of maintain, preserve, retain
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
To keep something in its existing state or condition.
Example
He had to maintain his car regularly to keep it running smoothly.
To protect something from harm or damage and keep it in its original state.
Example
The museum's mission is to preserve art and artifacts for future generations.
To keep something in one's possession or control; to continue to have something.
Example
The company decided to retain its top employees by offering them better benefits.
Key Differences: maintain vs preserve vs retain
- 1Maintain refers to keeping something in its existing state or condition, while redefine means to change or modify it.
- 2Preserve implies protecting something from harm or damage and keeping it in its original state, while redefine means to change or modify it.
- 3Retain means to keep something in one's possession or control, while redefine means to change or modify it.
Effective Usage of maintain, preserve, retain
- 1Business: Use maintain to describe keeping a business running smoothly.
- 2Environment: Use preserve to describe protecting natural resources and habitats.
- 3Legal: Use retain to describe keeping legal rights or ownership of something.
- 4Technology: Use redefine to describe changing or modifying technology or software.
Remember this!
The antonyms of redefine are maintain, preserve, and retain. These words convey the opposite meaning of redefine, which is to keep something the same or maintain its original form. Use these words in different contexts such as business, environment, legal, and technology to convey the intended meaning effectively.
