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
-
While the crowds swell in July and August, Cádiz manages to retain its seductive mix of grandeur and grit year-round.—
Christopher Bagley,
Travel + Leisure,
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
-
More than 12 million people have verified themselves through the orbs and roughly 26 million have downloaded the World app, where people store their World ID, digital assets and access other tools, the company says.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
-
Willie Eugene Sims, 69, was taken into custody in Ohio and charged with Ralston’s killing after a breakthrough in the case linked him to evidence long stored but never matched — until now, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.—
Bethany Brown,
People.com,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
The last four shows have mostly maintained the same set list, including her beloved throwback hits.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
-
India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.—
Olivia-Anne Cleary,
Time,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
Deacon said Slimane, who left the creative helm of Celine last year, has managed his career with aplomb, pursuing his interests in design and photography, and working to his own timetable.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
5 May 2025
-
Cortini has managed to distil his passion into the sonic signature of these unique IEMs.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
4 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
-
House of Aama House of Aama, established in 2015, presents fashion as an instrument for storytelling while protecting cultural heritage and preserving memories.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
5 May 2025
-
President Trump is standing up for every student denied an education or safe campus because left-wing universities fail to protect their civil rights.—
Robert Costa,
CBS News,
4 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share