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

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

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
However, new beginnings are hard to get when the past and your family's name keep haunting you. Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026 That in turn will keep depriving the Colorado of rain and snowmelt in the future. Mark Gongloff, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
Noun
The pressure to win keeps increasing, and the salaries follow. Chris Vannini, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026 But among the talking heads, the most persistent possibility for Guerin and the Wild is New York Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck, whom Guerin picked for the gold medal-winning American Olympic team, and who earned his keep most prominently as a faceoff specialist in Milan, Italy. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for keep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep
Verb
  • It’s celebrated for health results, not necessarily hospitality.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Afterward, celebrating on the field, Miggy, who is Venezuelan, had tears in his eyes.
    Greg Cote Updated March 17, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • But the organization is retaining its wider prohibition against receiving transfusions of others' blood -- a procedure routinely used with patients after accidents, violence or other blood loss.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Graduating and retaining students is a top priority at Morehouse, said Jonathan Jordan, the college’s director of financial aid.
    Jason Armesto, AJC.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • This week’s adventures in dining were a bit of a mixed bag of Lenten fish fry, catching up with a friend and fulfilling a craving.
    Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Communication is the key to a happy home and fulfilling partnerships.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • But Sorgenfrei said the cost and efficiency of storing a backup bike in the Peninsula won't be feasible.
    Sooji Nam, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Ultraviolet light from its host star triggers the creation of sulfur dioxide in the upper atmosphere, and a massive sub-surface magma ocean acts as a buffer, storing and releasing volatile gases over billions of years.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • All defendants maintained their innocence and appealed after a two-year trial that opened a Pandora's box of unwanted revelations about papal ransom payments to Islamic militants, Vatican vendettas, espionage and other dirty laundry of the Holy See.
    NICOLE WINFIELD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 18 Mar. 2026
  • More brands whose pieces previously started at 14 karats are shifting their offerings to include 10k solid gold pieces that balance maintaining the precious metal as a key selling point while offering a product at a more affordable price point.
    Andrea Bossi, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Yet Iran has still managed to halt the flow of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for about a fifth of the world’s oil.
    Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2026
  • But for those who qualify, the long-term tax-free growth and withdrawal flexibility typically outweigh the absence of an immediate deduction — especially for someone already managing a complex retirement income picture.
    Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Lucas had said the game would come down to who took care of the ball better, who controlled the glass and who won the rebounding battle.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
  • The airline also opened a flight attendant base in Austin in October and expects to control 15 gates once a major expansion at Austin-Bergstrom is completed in the early 2030s.
    Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Both are recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, the 2012 executive action signed by former President Barack Obama that protects people brought to the United States as children from deportation.
    Juan Carlos Chavez, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.

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