keep

keep

verb

Definition of 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 f{ecirc}te), 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, keep, meet, redeem, satisfy

Related Words conclude, consummate, finalize, finish, perfect; accomplish, achieve, bring about, bring off, carry out, effect; commit, compass, discharge, execute, follow through (with), make, perform

Near Antonyms default (on); disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, overlook, overpass, pass over, slight

Antonyms breach, break, transgress, violate

4

to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability <I keep extra toothbrushes for unexpected overnight guests>

Synonyms keep, put up, reposit, stow

Related 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 keep, 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, keep, manage, operate, overlook, oversee, preside (over), regulate, run, steward, superintend, supervise, tend

Related 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, keep, measure, pull in, regulate, rein (in), restrain, rule, tame

Related 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, silence

Near Antonyms liberate, loose, loosen, unleash; air, express, take out, vent

Antonyms lose

8

to drive danger or attack away from <may God bless and keep you>

Synonyms bulwark, cover, fence, fend, forfend, guard, keep, protect, safeguard, screen, secure, shield, ward

Related Words avert, prevent; oppose, resist, withstand; battle, contend, fight, war; conserve, preserve, save; buffer, palisade, picket, wall

Near Antonyms bombard, storm; beset, besiege, overrun; capitulate, cave, submit, yield

Antonyms assail, assault, attack