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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
The future of Aerosmith is extremely uncertain due to Steven Tyler’s injured larynx, but that isn’t stopping guitarist Joe Perry from keeping the band’s music alive on the road. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2025 And the ongoing speculation about further tax rises in the Autumn Budget will probably keep consumers in a cautious mood. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
Commercial outlets survive by earning their keep — not by relying on subsidies that every citizen is compelled to support. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2025 The office has earned its keep over the years by producing detailed, unbiased analyses of the cost and performance of major weapons systems like the F-35 combat aircraft. William Hartung, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for keep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep
Verb
  • For this month’s 20th anniversary of Dog Day, suggestions on how to celebrate including taking your dog for a walk, adopting a dog or donating blankets, food or funds to a local rescue center.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona.
    Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The ownership of the tree would be shared between the neighbors, and both homeowners retain the right to trim or prune parts of the tree that hang over their property.
    Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The Citizen Redistricting Commission, an independent entity first formed in 2008, would retain power over state legislative redistricting, and that body would regain power of congressional redistricting after the 2030 Census, Newsom said.
    Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Observers say Trump's desire for the Nobel Peace Prize looms large over the summit with Putin, as the president looks to fulfill a campaign promise to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The property also has two pools, a tennis court and a $1 million geothermal heating system and concealed solar field, which allows the estate to fulfill its own energy needs.
    Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • When stored properly, an uncut head of cabbage can last up to two months in the fridge.
    Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The stackable design also makes the stools easy to store away or move around.
    Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The group has maintained a devout following of millions of fans for over 40 years, and their most recent album, The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead! debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s 200 Albums chart back in 2022.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Moderate growth to outpace inflation in order to maintain purchasing power over a potential life expectancy of 20-30+ years.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Uber's operational model prioritizes rapid market entry with standardized processes that can be quickly deployed across new cities, often learning and adapting on the fly while managing the complexity of hundreds of simultaneous markets.
    Tima Bansal, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • The process would be vastly easier to manage if not for that pesky academic calendar.
    Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Putin seemed to control the appearance of the proceedings in front of the press.
    Nik Popli, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Tension in the nation's capital escalated Friday over the question of who controls the city's metropolitan police department after Washington D.C.'s Attorney General filed a federal lawsuit challenging the White House's bid for full control.
    Brian Mann, NPR, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The archipelago, protected as a national park, hums with quiet life—salt flats blush rose in the heat, and mangroves cradle herons in leafy stillness.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Ajax grows closer to Bianca (Joy Sunday), who’s juggling school, protecting her mom from the cult called MorningSong and keeping Principal Dort (Steve Buscemi) at bay.
    Jane LaCroix, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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