keeping 1 of 2

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as in custody
responsibility for the safety and well-being of someone or something put the house keys into a neighbor's secure keeping while they were on vacation

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as in shape
a state of being or fitness the estate hasn't been in good keeping since the owner suffered financial reverses

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

keeping

2 of 2

verb

present participle of keep
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as in storing
to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability I keep extra toothbrushes for unexpected overnight guests

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as in supporting
to pay the living expenses of agreed to keep both of their children in off-campus housing until they graduated and found jobs

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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 keeping
Noun
Bustos has done more for the hobby of ant-keeping in the last 15 years than anyone else. Katherine Laidlaw, HubSpot, 19 Sep. 2025 Station keeping The Expedition 73 crewmates also took part in activities to maintain the space station's systems and prepare for future research. Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
Or use shredded leaves as mulch elsewhere in the yard, keeping the material away from plant stems. Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2025 Aleumdr Wide-leg Cargo Sweatpants These wide-leg cargo sweatpants from Aleumdr come in 11 colors and up to size XXL, perfect for keeping your legs warm and toasty on a long-haul flight. Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for keeping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keeping
Noun
  • The letter detailed that the White Bear Lake Police department is now conducting an investigation into the incident, and said that the individual was now in police custody.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Men and women in masks approached her and she was heard screaming as she was taken into custody.
    Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The land changed hands as developers pitched grand ideas to no avail.
    Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Switzerland, like Germany, built its 20th-century industrial economy on training and valuing all types of workers—those that work with their hands and those that work at a desk.
    Peter Vanham, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Labor In a section of the report focused on workers’ rights and safety, the NCP reiterates its gripes about lack of supplier audit documentation and adherence to local law rather than international standards.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 1 Oct. 2025
  • When Seedance and Seedream came out, his team conducted internal testing to compare their prompt adherence, image quality, speed, and cost to American competitors.
    Andrew R. Chow, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Despite initially teasing a retirement from touring back in 2022, the band has decided to reverse course and get their wigs back into fighting shape.
    Devon Ivie, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Milwaukee's older bridges, though, are in better shape than the average Wisconsin bridge built the same decade, the report says.
    Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The former Vice President’s choice to spotlight his work this evening, on a night all about celebrating the accomplishments of successful Black trailblazers in this country, was also clearly intentional—and a fitting touch, no less.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Curry made a rare public appearance at an event in Los Angeles celebrating the 50th anniversary of the musical cult classic.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Trump had been charged with attempting to steal the 2020 presidential election and retaining national defense documents at his Florida resort after his first term.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Only twice in Ryder Cup history has this occurred, with the US and Europe each retaining their crown in 1969 and 1989 respectively.
    Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But as adults, it’s been very fulfilling to merge.
    Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Among them is harnessing what is sometimes referred to as clean heat, which means fulfilling the supply chain’s thermal energy needs with renewable sources such as wind and solar.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Unless your basement is equipped to serve as a playroom, avoid storing any toys or games in it, as consistent exposure to moisture in the air can cause rust or mildew to form on them.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Allow the steaks and sauce to cool completely to room temperature before storing.
    Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Keeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keeping. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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