keep 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
Factors To Consider The first step in a laundry routine that is a bit more forgiving of a time lapse between cycles is all about keeping a clean washing machine. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2025 Below are the ones that will help keep the area around your nose clear and irritation-free. Daley Quinn, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
In summer, its outdoor Luna Cinema shows classics on a screen erected between the keep and the castle’s fabulously odd mansion. Jamie Carter, Travel + Leisure, 20 Jan. 2025 Our editors and contributors have tested several kinds of platform beds over the years, and have some thoughts on what’s for keeps, and what squeaks enough to do without. Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 30 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for keep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep
Verb
  • Cinco de Mayo is on May 5, and Chipotle is celebrating with a new gaming experience that can score fans some free food.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • Today, Israelis are celebrating the 77th independence day of the State of Israel, the reborn nation state of the Jewish people.
    Noa Tishby, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Current borrowers should retain access to IBR, depending on legislative outcomes.
    Robert Farrington, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • McCourt is untroubled by the reports of tensions between De Zerbi and his players and retains full confidence in Longoria’s ability to run the club.
    Tom Williams, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The fresh color popped up when Middleton and Prince William traveled to Scotland to celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary and fulfill some royal duties.
    Kara Nesvig, Allure, 1 May 2025
  • For students applying in this admissions cycle, Yale made the groundbreaking move to allow students to submit Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exam scores rather than the ACT or SAT to fulfill their standardized testing requirement.
    Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • There are also pockets on the outside for storing shoes and other accessories.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Originally used to store claymore mines and their accessories, the bag had been repurposed by McLean to carry supplies to men in the field.
    Made by History, Time, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In April, 2018, Ayyub was sitting with a friend in a Delhi restaurant when a source alerted her to a video that was appearing in online chat groups maintained by B.J.P. supporters.
    Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Things like getting enough sleep, exercising and maintaining social connections all make a difference in improving one's outlook – which can in turn make a significant difference in weathering financial uncertainty or landing a new job.
    Katia Riddle, NPR, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Deacon said Slimane, who left the creative helm of Celine last year, has managed his career with aplomb, pursuing his interests in design and photography, and working to his own timetable.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 5 May 2025
  • Cortini has managed to distil his passion into the sonic signature of these unique IEMs.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Verb
  • But increasing costs is not a sustainable solution, and, therefore, insurers and consumers (who are often at odds) must work together to control spending without compromising outcomes.
    Mehb Khoja, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Instead, Merz says, HPV probably increases the risk of heart disease by causing inflammation, which occurs as the immune system attempts to control the virus.
    Liz Szabo, Scientific American, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • House of Aama House of Aama, established in 2015, presents fashion as an instrument for storytelling while protecting cultural heritage and preserving memories.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 5 May 2025
  • Prima wondered, with pure bafflement, if there would come a time when people did not worry about her innocence and wish to protect her.
    Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 4 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

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