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

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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
Ramirez ended up paying Vega $5,000 and his insurance company paid him another $20,000 — but Ramirez kept the business, assets and trademark. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025 Read more from The Hill’s Brett Samuels. — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 10 May 2025
Noun
A week after the adoption event, the couple drove to his foster carer's house to take Fletcher home for keeps. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025 An initial eight: There was little doubt about Spoelstra playing this one for keeps. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for keep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep
Verb
  • By the early 2000s, they were already established icons, celebrated by Caribbean and diasporic audiences worldwide.
    Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • While our differences are to be celebrated, humans are humans.
    Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • While the physical manuscripts have returned to China and will go on view at the National Museum of China in July, the Smithsonian will retain digital versions of the documents for further research.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025
  • Employers must retain personnel records and ADS data, including inputs, outputs, and data used to develop or customize the system, for at least four years.
    Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Ultimately, hundreds of thousands of potential buyers chose not to fulfill their orders, and many of them could have had reasons related to the EV's design flaws.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 24 May 2025
  • This not only fulfills regulatory requirements but also reassures investors about the company's commitment to safeguarding assets and information.
    Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • To slow down the process, store some of your slightly underripe avocados in the refrigerator.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 23 May 2025
  • Raw shrimp was stored in the stand-up cooler alongside ready-to-eat foods.
    Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Duke Energy Lakes & Recreation ☑️ Water quality: Generally good, with ongoing efforts to maintain and improve environmental conditions.
    Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2025
  • The Appropriations Committee budget, released in late April, would maintain the extra $40 million in state payments in the next two fiscal years and add another $124 million in special education grants in each of the next two years.
    Jessika Harkay, Hartford Courant, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Klamath Fire has been burning on federal land managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2025
  • Your role in the economy could move from direct labor, to managing AI systems like the CEO of a company manages their direct reports, to steering the direction of AI systems working for you like a company board weighing in on long-term direction.
    Luke Drago, Time, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • In 1950, the wall was reconstructed to control erosion and create artificial beaches.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 23 May 2025
  • Cardinale and his team have long chased the Telegraph, but an earlier an earlier attempt to buy it through All3Media owner RedBird IMI, which is majority controlled out of the Middle East, was blocked by the Conservative Party.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Bear in mind, a tent does not protect you from lightning.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2025
  • The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
    Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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