1
as in to celebrate
to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony
keep the Sabbath by not working
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to retain
to continue to have in one's possession or power
the money is yours to keep keep my secret and don't tell it to anyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fulfill
to do what is required by the terms of
make sure you keep your promise to help out at the homeless shelter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in to maintain
to pay the living expenses of
agreed to keep both of their children in off-campus housing until they graduated and found jobs
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in to manage
to look after and make decisions about
enlisted a relative to keep the store while she was away
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in to control
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
try to keep your composure no matter what happens
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
may God bless and keep you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in preserving
the act or activity of keeping something in an existing and usually satisfactory condition
the keep of the stable is mainly left to the two equine-loving daughters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 keep
Bonny Chu , Ronn Blitzer, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Should children have unfettered access to interactive roleplay, without clear guardrails to keep conversations PG-13?
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
Zoe Guy, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Honestly, video doorbells earn their keep just by catching package drops and raccoons with attitude.
—PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for keep
Verb
Investigators are keeping all leads open, but foreign interference has reportedly been largely ruled out in the case.
—Bonny Chu , Ronn Blitzer, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Should children have unfettered access to interactive roleplay, without clear guardrails to keep conversations PG-13?
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
This isn’t a game anymore, these people are playing for keeps.
—Zoe Guy, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Honestly, video doorbells earn their keep just by catching package drops and raccoons with attitude.
—PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for keep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep
Verb
-
The leader of the $1 billion-a-year in revenue breakfast and lunch chain takes time each month to handwrite congratulations to cooks and dishwashers celebrating major milestones, like 10, 20, or even 30 years with the company.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
-
And, before long, beer was flying and Blue Jays were pouring onto the field to celebrate the win.—
Joe Kozlowski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Elite-level play from the man who retained his crown as the finest running back in the land Sunday.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
20 Oct. 2025
-
His priorities are retaining local business, attaining affordable housing, and sustainable economic environmental development to make Shawnee a welcoming community.—
PJ Green
October 20,
Kansas City Star,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Carney added that Ottawa expects Stellantis to fulfill its commitment to Brampton workers.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The Dodgers’ desire to ride their starting pitching in October and minimize the exposure of their Achilles’ heel (the bullpen) is being fulfilled.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The acting head of DOE’s environmental program was fired in early September, prompting speculation that the agency was trying to shift toward storing the waste by mixing it with a cement-like substance called grout, reported Science.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Ice is often taken for granted today, but the ability to both store and keep frozen water signified immense influence and privilege in ancient cultures.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Led by Zurich, played by Trevor Jackson, the group is pushed to their mental and physical limits while trying to maintain their grades, relationships, and sense of self.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The United States maintains overwhelming technological superiority but with increasingly unpredictable commitments.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This means astronauts will have to diagnose, treat, and manage crises without ground support, even if a crew member becomes incapacitated.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The chicken scene generally captures the way Orlean can cast a thoughtful eye over her life’s experiences and still manage to be funny while not dismissing the darts life threw at her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
By controlling the pressure inside the robot’s body and the temperature of the actuators, the researchers were able to steer it through intricate paths.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
-
In return, Moscow controlled strategic ports and bases on the Mediterranean, and gained access to lucrative phosphate mining and fossil fuel deals.—
Danny Makki,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Frank wanted to sign another senior centre-back in the summer to protect Van de Ven and Romero, who both missed large chunks of last season with muscle issues.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Money that could strengthen communities or fund innovation instead sits idle, protected by leverage and loopholes.—
Scott Ellis,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share