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keep

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of keep

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 of keep

care and feeding, conservation, conserving, maintenance, preservation, preserving, sustentation, upkeep
Words Related to keep

conservancy

support, sustaining

care, custody, guardianship

defense, guarding, protection, safeguarding, safekeeping
Near Antonyms of keep

dereliction, disregard, ignoring, inattention, neglect, negligence

damage, demolition, destruction, harm, hurt, injury, ruin, ruination

keep

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of keep

1 to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony
  • keep the Sabbath by not working
Synonyms of keep

celebrate, commemorate, observe
Words Related to keep

bless, consecrate, sanctify, solemnize

fete (or fête), honor, laud, praise

memorialize, remember
Near Antonyms of keep

blow off, disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, overlook
Antonyms of keep

break, transgress, violate
2 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 of keep

hold, reserve, retain, withhold
Words Related to keep

conserve, guard, preserve, protect, save

boast, enjoy, have, own, possess

command, control, detain, direct, manage, rule

bear, harbor

cherish, cling (to), hug, treasure
Phrases Synonymous with keep

hang on to, hold on to
Near Antonyms of keep

abandon, cede, drop

contribute, donate, give, hand out

discard, dump

decline, reject, repudiate, spurn

lose
Antonyms of keep

give up, hand over, release, relinquish, surrender, yield
3 to do what is required by the terms of
  • make sure you keep your promise to help out at the homeless shelter
Synonyms of keep

answer, complete, comply (with), fill, fulfill (or fulfil), meet, redeem, satisfy
Words Related to keep

conclude, consummate, finalize, finish, perfect

accomplish, achieve, bring about, bring off, carry out, effect

commit, compass, discharge, execute, follow through (with), make, perform
Phrases Synonymous with keep

abide by, make good (or make good on)
Near Antonyms of keep

default (on)

disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, overlook, overpass, pass over, slight
Antonyms of keep

breach, break, transgress, violate
4 to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability
  • I keep extra toothbrushes for unexpected overnight guests
Synonyms of keep

put up, reposit, store, stow
Words Related to keep

cellar, garage, hangar, house, warehouse

file, pack, shelve
5 to pay the living expenses of
  • agreed to keep both of their children in off-campus housing until they graduated and found jobs
Synonyms of keep

maintain, provide (for), support
Words Related to keep

finance, fund, patronize, set up, sponsor, stake, underwrite
Phrases Synonymous with keep

foot the bill (for), take care of
6 to look after and make decisions about
  • enlisted a relative to keep the store while she was away
Synonyms of keep

administer, administrate, carry on, conduct, control, direct, govern, guide, handle, manage, operate, overlook, oversee, preside (over), regulate, run, steward, superintend, supervise, tend
Words Related to keep

care (for), mind, watch

lead, pilot, steer

guard, protect, safeguard

micromanage, stage-manage

codirect, comanage
Phrases Synonymous with keep

watch over
7 to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
  • try to keep your composure no matter what happens
Synonyms of keep

bridle, check, constrain, contain, control, curb, govern, hold, inhibit, measure, pull in, regulate, rein (in), restrain, rule, tame
Words Related to keep

bottle (up), choke (back), hold back, mince, muffle, pocket, repress, sink, smother, squelch, stifle, strangle, suppress, swallow

arrest, interrupt, stop

block, hamper, handcuff, hinder, impede, obstruct

gag, muzzle, silence
Near Antonyms of keep

liberate, loose, loosen, unleash

air, express, take out, vent
Antonyms of keep

lose
8 to drive danger or attack away from
  • may God bless and keep you
Synonyms of keep

bulwark, cover, defend, fence, fend, forfend, guard, protect, safeguard, screen, secure, shield, ward
Words Related to keep

avert, prevent

oppose, resist, withstand

battle, contend, fight, war

conserve, preserve, save

buffer, palisade, picket, wall
Phrases Synonymous with keep

stand up for
Near Antonyms of keep

bombard, storm

beset, besiege, overrun

capitulate, cave, submit, yield
Antonyms of keep

assail, assault, attack

Synonym Discussion of keep

keep, observe, celebrate, commemorate 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
observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.
    • not all holidays are observed nationally
celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.
    • traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner
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

Learn More about keep

  1. Dictionary: Definition of keep Spanish Central: Translation of keep Nglish: Translation of keep for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of keep for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about keep

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