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
Factors To Consider The first step in a laundry routine that is a bit more forgiving of a time lapse between cycles is all about keeping a clean washing machine. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2025 Below are the ones that will help keep the area around your nose clear and irritation-free. Daley Quinn, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
In summer, its outdoor Luna Cinema shows classics on a screen erected between the keep and the castle’s fabulously odd mansion. Jamie Carter, Travel + Leisure, 20 Jan. 2025 Our editors and contributors have tested several kinds of platform beds over the years, and have some thoughts on what’s for keeps, and what squeaks enough to do without. Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 30 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for keep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep
Verb
  • To celebrate, shoppers can get $10 off any purchase with code SHOTS10.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Target's Easter Hours All Target locations are closing on Easter Sunday to give the day off to employees to celebrate with their families.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Current borrowers should retain access to IBR, depending on legislative outcomes.
    Robert Farrington, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Save Bear Creek Lake Park retained the legal services of water expert James Eklund, who was director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board from 2013-17.
    John Meyer, Denver Post, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The tech executive hired several young engineers aged 19-24 to fulfill his directives at DOGE, which centered on eliminating positions Musk deemed to be unnecessary.
    Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • However, after making season one, Gilroy and Luna both realized that their initial aim was too ambitious and likely required at least a decade of their lives to fulfill.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Iran's Defense Ministry denied the claims, insisting no sensitive materials were stored there.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
  • There are also pockets on the outside for storing shoes and other accessories.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In April, 2018, Ayyub was sitting with a friend in a Delhi restaurant when a source alerted her to a video that was appearing in online chat groups maintained by B.J.P. supporters.
    Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
  • With Mathis in the judge’s chair, Amir — who completed training to become an official sheriff reserve officer — serves as the courtroom’s bailiff maintaining order in the court.
    Makena Gera, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The two brands managed just 917,598 sales in 2024, versus 1,343,959 in 2019, according to S&P Global Mobility.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Surgeons and Nurse Practitioners Surgeons, earning a median of $250,000 annually, perform life-saving operations and manage patient care, requiring precision and empathy.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • With McDavid on the ice, the Oilers are controlling 69 percent of chances at even strength.
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • But increasing costs is not a sustainable solution, and, therefore, insurers and consumers (who are often at odds) must work together to control spending without compromising outcomes.
    Mehb Khoja, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Open for just 24 hours, starting April 24, the project is meant to humanize the harms of social media use among young children and call for governments and private companies to act urgently to protect online spaces for young users.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The Heat also protected Herro better from getting picked on defensively, putting him on Cavaliers forward Max Strus for most of the game.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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