1
as in to celebrate
to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony
keep the Sabbath by not working
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to retain
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fulfill
to do what is required by the terms of
make sure you keep your promise to help out at the homeless shelter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
6
as in to manage
to look after and make decisions about
enlisted a relative to keep the store while she was away
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in to control
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
try to keep your composure no matter what happens
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
may God bless and keep you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in preserving
the act or activity of keeping something in an existing and usually satisfactory condition
the keep of the stable is mainly left to the two equine-loving daughters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 9 July 2025
But there are still lingering worries about how long Amazon and Apple will keep movies in theaters before sending them to streaming.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2025
Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 6 June 2025
So keep your piehole shut and go out and play football and earn your keep and earn your respect.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for keep
Verb
County officials announced new lease terms on June 26, with both Bengals and county officials praising the deal that will keep the Bengals in Cincinnati in exchange for stadium renovations.
—Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 9 July 2025
But there are still lingering worries about how long Amazon and Apple will keep movies in theaters before sending them to streaming.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2025
Noun
The Pacers are lucky to be that close considering the keep giving the ball away.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 6 June 2025
So keep your piehole shut and go out and play football and earn your keep and earn your respect.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for keep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep
Verb
-
The pillar artwork features a waving Pope Leo XIV along with a picture from the TV broadcast of the future pope sitting with good Schmit and his grandson, Eddie. Members of the 2005 team are in Chicago this weekend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the championship run.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
13 July 2025
-
The wrestling world just celebrated the 27th anniversary of Goldberg’s first world title win over Hulk Hogan on the July 6, 1998 broadcast of Nitro.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
The sponsor retains responsibility for the content and holds the copyright to their material.—
Rowan Briggs,
Mercury News,
10 July 2025
-
These things can be weathered so long as Americans retain our reverence for freedom of speech.—
Bruce Yandle,
Twin Cities,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
Trump was elected to fulfill certain promises on immigration.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
12 July 2025
-
The subpoenas are part of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department and the White House to fulfill President Donald Trump’s promises to curtail pediatric gender care.—
Azeen Ghorayshi,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
This automatic feeder is specifically designed to store and schedule wet-food meals using what's essentially a mini-fridge.—
Molly Higgins,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
-
However, storing and releasing energy day after day causes inevitable wear and tear.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
To maintain a growth mindset, routinely evaluate your hard and soft skills.—
Kevin Walters,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
Some of that increase will go towards expanding and maintaining the town's fire department, officials said.—
Gabrielle Chenault,
The Tennessean,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
Shakur’s Instagram account, managed by his estate, reposted the message.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
5 July 2025
-
Cortisol can also manage how your body fat and muscles use glucose.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
While Congress ultimately controls NASA’s budget, Trump’s goals are to cut its workforce, reduce commitments to the International Space Station, shut down nearly 1/3 of its science missions and focus on moon and Mars plans.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 July 2025
-
Since 1980, for instance, neither party has controlled the Senate for more than eight consecutive years; never has the Senate changed hands so often over such a long period.—
Ronald Brownstein,
Twin Cities,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
From quick rinses to gentle drying, here's how to protect your swimwear for seasons to come.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
-
The show, based on a novella by the author Martha Wells, follows a snarky private-security cyborg (played by Alexander Skarsgård) assigned to protect a group of scientists investigating a mostly uncharted planet.—
Emma Stefansky,
The Atlantic,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share