keep 1 of 2

Definition of keepnext
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
3
4
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

6
7
8

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
However, the queen reportedly kept a file with the names of all the women Philip had been involved with, a list that included at least a dozen women, including the mother of Sarah Ferguson, Andrew’s ex-wife. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 May 2026 In general, the protein in yogurt can help keep you full and satisfied for a long time. Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 2 May 2026
Noun
Every great vacation outfit needs a functional accessory to tie it together, and when suitcase space is limited, that accessory needs to earn its keep. Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026 In a micro dining room, functionality is key; every piece has to earn its keep. Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for keep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep
Verb
  • Jeff Idelson, the executive director of the Say Hey Foundation, also issued a statement celebrating the announcement.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
  • Bad Wolf celebrated its ten-year anniversary in 2025.
    K.J. Yossman, Variety, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Westin also produced an RBI single, while Augustana recruit JT Iles came through with a two-run double for the Thunderbolts (9-11), who with the win retained the Zabrocki Cup — the traveling trophy for the rivalry.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
  • The country also retains significant tanker capacity — equivalent to roughly 37 very large crude carriers — both inside and outside the blockade.
    Anthony Di Paola, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • King Charles' wife then became known as Queen Camilla, fulfilling the late Queen Elizabeth's wish that her daughter-in-law would step into the role when her son acceded.
    Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
  • Like other Jews of the time, including the Sadducees, the Essenes and Jesus himself, the Pharisees were deeply interested in determining how best to fulfill divine will.
    Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • The original parchment was rolled up and stored in the office of the secretary of the Continental Congress, but was then moved around a fair amount during the war—bouncing around towns and cities in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey before ending up, in 1785, in New York.
    Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • In April, the company brought together store directors from across the country for training focused on improving customer service, which analysts and shoppers alike agree has slipped since the pandemic.
    Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • This is basically every aerophobic flier’s worst nightmare, and Harlin does a solid job of maintaining the fear factor and shock right up to the moment of Rich’s decision to dump fuel and ditch, since the nearest airport, Guam, is out of range.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The actors — who first bonded while filming their 1995 rom-com, Two Much — have maintained a famously close relationship despite no longer being married.
    Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The casting has always managed to feel diverse, but in a guileless, incidental way, giving the appearance of multicultural inclusion without espousing any explicitly progressive viewpoints.
    Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The Bruins managed to keep it tight through the end of the first, with the Sabres taking that 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
    Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Carly is cool, calm, controlled, and precise.
    Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026
  • Yura’s nemeses, who are part of her elderly father’s underwater court, seem to be after her magical flute, an ancient device that controls their kingdom’s dragon.
    Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Even without federal limits on chemicals like PFAS, states have the authority to protect public health and the environment.
    DYLAN JACKSON, ABC News, 6 May 2026
  • Doing so, officials say, helps protect not only those rolling up their sleeves but those who cannot get vaccinated, such as the very youngest children.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on keep

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster