keep

1 to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony <keep the Sabbath by not working> Synonyms celebrate, commemorate, observe Related Words bless, consecrate, sanctify, solemnize; fete (or fête), honor, laud, praise; memorialize, remember Near Antonyms blow off, disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, overlook Antonyms break, transgress, violate

2 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 hold, reserve, retain, withhold Related Words conserve, guard, preserve, protect, save; boast, enjoy, have, own, possess; command, control, detain, direct, manage, rule; bear, harbor; cherish, cling (to), hug, treasure Phrases hang on to, hold on to Near Antonyms abandon, cede, drop; contribute, donate, give, hand out; discard, dump; decline, reject, repudiate, spurn; lose Antonyms give up, hand over, release, relinquish, surrender, yield

3 to do what is required by the terms of <make sure you keep your promise to help out at the homeless shelter> Synonyms answer, complete, comply (with), fill, fulfill, meet, redeem, satisfyRelated Words conclude, consummate, finalize, finish, perfect; accomplish, achieve, bring about, bring off, carry out, effect; commit, compass, discharge, execute, follow through (with), make, performNear Antonyms default (on); disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, overlook, overpass, pass over, slightAntonyms breach, break, transgress, violate

4 to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability <I keep extra toothbrushes for unexpected overnight guests> Synonyms store, put up, reposit, stowRelated Words cellar, garage, hangar, house, warehouse; file, pack, shelve

5 to pay the living expenses of <looking for a sugar daddy to keep her in a style to which she'd dearly love to become accustomed> Synonyms support, maintain, provide (for)Related Words finance, fund, patronize, set up, sponsor, stake, underwrite

6 to look after and make decisions about <enlisted a relative to keep the store while she was away> Synonyms administer, administrate, carry on, control, direct, govern, guide, handle, conduct, manage, operate, overlook, oversee, preside (over), regulate, run, steward, superintend, supervise, tendRelated Words care (for), mind, watch; lead, pilot, steer; guard, protect, safeguard; micromanage, stage-manage; codirect, comanage

7 to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) <at least try to keep your temper during the holiday meal> Synonyms bridle, check, constrain, contain, curb, govern, hold, inhibit, control, measure, pull in, regulate, rein (in), restrain, rule, tameRelated Words bottle (up), choke (back), hold back, mince, muffle, pocket, repress, sink, smother, squelch, stifle, strangle, suppress, swallow; arrest, interrupt, stop; block, hamper, handcuff, hinder, impede, obstruct; gag, muzzle, silenceNear Antonyms liberate, loose, loosen, unleash; air, express, take out, ventAntonyms lose

8 to drive danger or attack away from <may God bless and keep you> Synonyms bulwark, cover, fence, fend, forfend, guard, defend, protect, safeguard, screen, secure, shield, wardRelated Words avert, prevent; oppose, resist, withstand; battle, contend, fight, war; conserve, preserve, save; buffer, palisade, picket, wallNear Antonyms bombard, storm; beset, besiege, overrun; capitulate, cave, submit, yieldAntonyms assail, assault, attack