retain dignity

USAGE SUMMARY

"retain dignity" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone who is able to keep a sense of self-respect in a difficult situation. For example, "She found the strength to retain her dignity in the face of adversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He seems to find time to play the fastest of bowling and still retain dignity, something near majesty, as he does it".

The Guardian - Sport

We are talking, of course, of Olympique Lyonnais, the club that until recently dominated French football and regularly troubled Europe's giants but now find themselves struggling to retain dignity amid inevitable downsizing.

The Guardian - Sport

He also said he had requested an extension to the bailout, saying "I am awaiting their immediate response to a fundamental request of democracy" Tsipras has asked the Greek people to retain "dignity" during the financial turmoil in order to "send a message of hope and pride to all Europe".

Independent

"Our ageing population means that there is an enormous increase in demand for council-run adult social services, which must be met to ensure people retain dignity as they get older.

BBC

This combination of "high" and "low", exemplified by Clouseau's attempting to retain dignity after a fall, means that within the film Clouseau was "the sole representative of humanity".

Wikipedia

17 18 From the patient's perspective, chronic illness is a unique personal experience which may involve pain, disability, loss of status, reduced income and a heroic struggle to retain dignity, rebuild identity and live a moral life in the face of adversity.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Residents of northwestern Pakistan grew increasingly ambivalent, if not outright hostile, toward the Taliban, although the religious militants retained dignity in the eyes of many other Pakistanis who supported their bid to implement sharia in the Swat Valley.

Forbes

His biographer, Ed Sikov, notes that because of this retained dignity, Sellers is "the master of playing men who have no idea how ridiculous they are".

Wikipedia

Strategies were used by families to help negotiate changes to that role while retaining dignity.

BMC Geriatrics

Families devised strategies to gain agreement in order to ensure that the person with dementia retained dignity.

British Medical Journal

Even with the legal authority to make and enforce decisions for the person without capacity, in practice families nearly always need to gain agreement to ensure that the person with dementia retains dignity.

British Medical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "retain dignity" to emphasize the subject's inner strength and resilience rather than merely their outward appearance or social standing.

Common error

Avoid using "retain dignity" when the focus is primarily on maintaining appearances or social status without genuine internal resilience. Instead, highlight the internal strength and moral character of the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retain dignity" functions as a verb phrase, where "retain" acts as the main verb and "dignity" serves as its object. It signifies the act of maintaining or preserving one's self-respect, especially in difficult circumstances. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "retain dignity" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes the act of maintaining one's self-respect and composure, particularly in challenging situations. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It is frequently found in news and media, scientific publications and general web content. When using the expression, it's important to focus on the internal resilience and strength of the subject, rather than just their external appearance. Alternatives such as "maintain self-respect" or "preserve one's honor" can also be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain self-respect

Focuses specifically on maintaining respect for oneself.

preserve one's honor

Emphasizes the preservation of honor, which is a key aspect of dignity.

uphold one's integrity

Highlights the act of upholding moral principles and integrity.

keep one's composure

Concentrates on maintaining emotional control and a calm demeanor.

save face

Focuses on avoiding embarrassment or humiliation.

avoid humiliation

Specifically aims to prevent feelings of shame or disgrace.

keep one's head high

Emphasizes maintaining a positive attitude and self-esteem.

stand tall

Suggests resilience and maintaining pride in the face of adversity.

handle oneself with grace

Highlights the act of behaving elegantly and with composure.

meet adversity with poise

Focuses on confronting challenges with elegance and self-assurance.

FAQs

How can I use "retain dignity" in a sentence?

You can use "retain dignity" to describe someone who manages to maintain their self-respect and composure in a difficult or embarrassing situation. For example: "Despite the financial hardship, she managed to "retain dignity"".

What does it mean to "retain dignity"?

To "retain dignity" means to maintain one's sense of self-respect, composure, and honor, especially when facing challenging, humiliating, or degrading circumstances.

What are some alternatives to "retain dignity"?

Some alternatives to "retain dignity" include "maintain self-respect", "preserve one's honor", or "uphold one's integrity" depending on the specific context.

In what context is it appropriate to use "retain dignity"?

It is appropriate to use "retain dignity" when describing someone's ability to maintain their self-respect and composure when facing adversity, humiliation, or challenging situations where it would be easy to lose them.