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
Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 10 May 2025
The aviation industry expects the exemption to help companies keep costs down during a sharp pullback in travel spending by consumers worried about slower economic growth and higher inflation.
—Rajesh Kumar Singh, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
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
Verb
According to the organization's website, anyone living near bears should never feed the animals, keep garbage, food and livestock secure, and be aware of their surrounding while walking dogs.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 10 May 2025
The aviation industry expects the exemption to help companies keep costs down during a sharp pullback in travel spending by consumers worried about slower economic growth and higher inflation.
—Rajesh Kumar Singh, USA Today, 29 Apr. 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
-
And, so, a Mavericks team that finished at 39-43 and was eliminated in the play-in round, got to celebrate months after dealing Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2025
-
Her breakthrough third album Control, which recently celebrated its 39th anniversary, was the first by a woman to yield five top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and follow-up Rhythm Nation 1814 is to date the only album to spawn seven top-five charting songs on the Billboard Hot 100.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
Plummer, who joined the team under similar circumstances last year, will need to hold off Garbers to retain the role beyond training camp.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2025
-
This small fix would restore balance, encourage investment and ensure that patients retain their access to groundbreaking, convenient treatments.—
Julio Fuentes,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2025
Verb
-
But the recent tariff cut has given them a chance to ramp up shipments from China and restock their warehouses and fulfill existing orders, supply chain experts say.—
Anniek Bao,Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
13 May 2025
-
The house not only supplied the actresses with clothes, jewelry, accessories and makeup, but also provided a portion of the budget to allow director Olivier Assayas to fulfill his dream of shooting the movie on 35-mm film instead of digitally.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
Your body releases the hormone insulin to help store glucose from food, but this process does not work as well for people with diabetes.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
12 May 2025
-
With his tool, brew links can be stored and shared more widely, which helped both Dixon and another AI/coffee tinkerer.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah said in an X post that explosions were heard in the northern Indian state’s capital Srinagar just hours after both nations agreed to maintain a ceasefire.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2025
-
The last four shows have mostly maintained the same set list, including her beloved throwback hits.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
Russell tried to console Elissa and somehow managed to keep himself composed, holding up both of them through the disappointment.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
-
Getting a good night's rest, eating nutrient-dense foods, and engaging in activities that boost energy levels can help manage chronic fatigue.—
Joy Emeh,
Health,
18 May 2025
Verb
-
This language is shorthand for Kyiv agreeing to permanent neutrality in return for a security guarantee and accepting that Russia controls swathes of Ukraine.—
Tom Balmforth,
USA Today,
12 May 2025
-
The two nations to emerge from the bloody partition of British India – Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan – both claim Kashmir in full, despite only controlling parts of it.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
11 May 2025
Verb
-
The emergency fund is meant to protect you against a job loss, health crisis, car breakdown or major household repair.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
-
Yes, it should be protected from reopening as another waste processing plant.—
Sarah McCoy,
Hartford Courant,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share