keep 1 of 2

Definition of keepnext
1
as in to celebrate
to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony keep the Sabbath by not working

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in to store
to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability I keep extra toothbrushes for unexpected overnight guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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keep

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word keep different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of keep are celebrate, commemorate, and observe. While all these words mean "to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed," keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating.

kept the Sabbath by refraining from work

Where would celebrate be a reasonable alternative to keep?

While in some cases nearly identical to keep, celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.

traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner

When might commemorate be a better fit than keep?

In some situations, the words commemorate and keep are roughly equivalent. However, commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event.

commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths

When is it sensible to use observe instead of keep?

Although the words observe and keep have much in common, observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.

not all holidays are observed nationally

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
Verb
If no one wins the jackpot, the cash prize will keep ticking up. Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026 Instead, Musselman and his Trojans (18-9, 7-9 Big Ten) were left again wondering how their worst-case scenarios just keep coming true. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
Furniture needs to do more than look pretty to earn its keep. Heather Bien, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026 The Mercedes-Benz cars were rolled out with lane keep and driver assistance features to help drivers stay in their lanes, Kani said. Kif Leswing, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for keep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep
Verb
  • Her family still talks about her and celebrates her birthday, her sister told KOLD.
    Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Located on the southwestern tip of Costa Rica in the Puntarenas province, Pavones is a remote coastal village that’s highly celebrated for its surf.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • If a player challenges successfully, their team retains the opportunity to do so again.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 22 Feb. 2026
  • Poway, the reigning Masters Champion but the runner-up in the Division 2 section finals meet two weeks ago, powered through to retain the Masters team title at 183 points, highlighted by having six finalists and three champions.
    Breven Honda, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • These are the growing number of young men who are dropouts, do not work or have meaningful or fulfilling jobs, do not marry, have no children, few friends, and live in the basement of their parents’ home.
    Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Sifford, who is currently the retailer’s vice chairman of the board, will fulfill the CEO responsibilities while the company commences a search for a permanent successor.
    Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The students were trained on industrial sewing machines, blind hemming and retail-specific alteration techniques aligned with Nordstrom standards, pairing technical instruction with customer-service principles tailored to store environments.
    Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 23 Feb. 2026
  • However, the majority of these solutions are bulky, complex, expensive, or inefficient in storing and converting energy.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Endurance meets firepower Performance analytics conducted so far indicate confidence in the MQ-9B’s ability to carry long-range weapons over significant distances while maintaining its hallmark persistence and endurance.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 25 Feb. 2026
  • The Conservation Agency has maintained a continuous presence since 1980.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The Discovery Princess has a dedicated environmental officer to manage onboard sustainability efforts.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
  • How are the nominees managing after months and months (and months) of campaigning?
    Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • There is no specific rule about who qualifies for the honor, a decision controlled by concurrence from both the House and Senate.
    MATT BROWN, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
  • First, Iran would have to be able to control the strait after a strike.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Here's what to know about colorectal cancer -- at any age -- and how to protect yourself.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Practice a script that protects your needs and honors your generous spirit.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.

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