RETENTIVE Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

retentive

adjective

Definition of retentive

as in careful

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of retentive Cabbage plants also benefit from moisture-retentive clay as long as gardens don’t stay soggy long enough to lead to rot. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2026 Jane was an anal retentive young mom whose professional dream was to become a bestselling novelist. — Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2021 Energy firms tend to be slow to acquire as customers, but these energy targets are highly retentive once onboarded as customers. — John Tough, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2021 The velocity of decisions and the inverse of that, though, is when these decisions are made, there are incredibly sticky and retentive businesses. — Aaron Weitzman, Axios, 9 Sep. 2024 As well as attracting a significant number of new Discovery+ subscribers, sports broadens its appeal throughout the whole household and provides consumers an even greater, more retentive value proposition. — Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2022 Her ministers fear her ferociously retentive memory for the details of their portfolios—including the particulars of complex technical and scientific issues, such as trade, digital technology, and, lately, the pandemic. — Constanze Stelzenmüller, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retentive

Adjective

Determination and careful calculations — hold on, carry the 2 — are a must.

— Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
Graduate students face lower federal limits and the loss of Grad PLUS, requiring careful financial planning.

— Scott White, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of careful

Adjective

Can its legions drink that much beer and still be conscientious enough to clear away the trash?

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2026
Trea Turner was conscientious enough to wait for his double-play partner, Bryson Stott, who had authored one of the finest games of his career.

— Matt Gelb, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Definition of conscientious

Adjective

Consumer confidence ticked up in June after weeks of anxiety tied to the conflict, though people remain cautious as worries about jobs and prices persist.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026
Gymshark’s growth has slowed as competition has intensified and consumers have become more cautious about spending.

— Robert Olsen, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of cautious

Adjective

Jones was also circumspect, recalling that ACE inhibitors, drugs to treat blood pressure, heart failure, and kidney problems, were once hailed in a similar fashion.

— Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 1 July 2026
The bad news is that for the foreseeable future, consumers will continue to pay high prices, and employers are likely to continue to be more circumspect about coverage.

— Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 26 June 2026

Definition of circumspect

Adjective

But be wary of high heat forecast for Washington this weekend, as event schedules are subject to change amid sweltering temperatures.

— Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Iran may also be wary of attacks by the exiled Mujahadin-e Khalq (MeK), which Iran accuses of carrying out attacks inside Iran over several decades.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of wary

Adjective

High ceilings and generous proportions create volume, while thoughtful transitions blur the lines between interior and exterior, extending daily life beyond the home’s four walls.

— GL Homes, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
The bold contrast calls for thoughtful choices of wall color.

— Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026

Definition of thoughtful

Adjective

Her heedful eyes meet those of a young Black girl in overalls and braids on the other side of the room.

— Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 9 Aug. 2023
That’s partly because retailers have grown less heedful about developing the necessary pipelines, a problem that’s worsened in recent years as retailers saw profits crushed by a push into low-margin e-commerce.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2023

Definition of heedful

Browse Nearby Words

retention

retentive

retest

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“Retentive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retentive. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of retentive

adjective

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