retain vs contain

retain and contain both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
retain	No	No	Yes	No
contain	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, contain is a hypernym of retain; that is, contain is a word with a broader meaning than retain:

Other hypernyms of retain include bear, carry, hold.

retain (verb)	contain (verb)
keep in one's mind	hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of
secure and keep for possible future use or application	lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature	include or contain; have as a component
hold back within	be divisible by
	contain or hold; have within
	be capable of holding or containing