Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

keep

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of keep

1 to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony
  • kept the Sabbath by not working
Synonyms of keep

celebrate, commemorate, observe
Words Related to keep

bless, consecrate, sanctify, solemnize

fete (or fête), honor, laud, praise

memorialize, remember
Near Antonyms of keep

blow off, disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, overlook
Antonyms of keep

break, transgress, violate
2 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 of keep

hold, reserve, retain, withhold
Words Related to keep

conserve, guard, preserve, protect, save

boast, enjoy, have, own, possess

command, control, detain, direct, manage, rule

bear, harbor

cherish, cling (to), hug, treasure
Phrases Synonymous with keep

hang on to, hold on to
Near Antonyms of keep

abandon, cede, drop

contribute, donate, give, hand out

discard, dump

decline, reject, repudiate, spurn

lose
Antonyms of keep

give up, hand over, release, relinquish, surrender, yield
3 to do what is required by the terms of
  • Make sure you keep your promise to help out at the homeless shelter.
Synonyms of keep

answer, complete, comply (with), fill, fulfill (or fulfil), meet, redeem, satisfy
Words Related to keep

conclude, consummate, finalize, finish, perfect

accomplish, achieve, bring about, bring off, carry out, effect

commit, compass, discharge, execute, follow through (with), make, perform
Phrases Synonymous with keep

abide by, make good (or make good on)
Near Antonyms of keep

default (on)

disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, overlook, overpass, pass over, slight
Antonyms of keep

breach, break, transgress, violate
4 to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability
  • I keep extra toothbrushes for unexpected overnight guests.
Synonyms of keep

put up, store, stow
Words Related to keep

cellar, garage, hangar, house, warehouse

file, pack, shelve
5 to pay the living expenses of
  • keeping foster children
Synonyms of keep

maintain, provide (for), support
Words Related to keep

finance, fund, patronize, set up, sponsor, stake, underwrite
Phrases Synonymous with keep

foot the bill (for), take care of
6 to look after and make decisions about
  • Sue enlisted a relative to keep the store while she was away.
Synonyms of keep

administer, administrate, carry on, conduct, control, direct, govern, guide, handle, manage, operate, overlook, oversee, preside (over), regulate, run, steward, superintend, supervise, tend
Words Related to keep

care (for), mind, watch

lead, pilot, steer

guard, protect, safeguard

micromanage, stage-manage

codirect, comanage
Phrases Synonymous with keep

watch over
7 to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
  • Try to keep your composure no matter what happens.
Synonyms of keep

bridle, check, constrain, contain, control, curb, govern, hold, inhibit, measure, pull in, regulate, rein (in), restrain, rule, tame
Words Related to keep

bottle (up), choke (back), hold back, mince, muffle, pocket, repress, sink, smother, squelch, stifle, strangle, suppress, swallow

arrest, interrupt, stop

block, hamper, handcuff, hinder, impede, obstruct

gag, muzzle, silence
Near Antonyms of keep

liberate, loose, loosen, unleash

air, express, take out, vent
Antonyms of keep

lose
8 to drive danger or attack away from
  • May God bless and keep you.
Synonyms of keep

bulwark, cover, defend, fence, fend, forfend, guard, protect, safeguard, screen, secure, shield, ward
Words Related to keep

avert, prevent

oppose, resist, withstand

battle, contend, fight, war

conserve, preserve, save
Phrases Synonymous with keep

stand up for
Near Antonyms of keep

bombard, storm

beset, besiege, overrun

capitulate, cave, submit, yield
Antonyms of keep

assail, assault, attack

Synonym Discussion of keep

keep, observe, celebrate, commemorate 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
observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.
    • not all holidays are observed nationally
celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.
    • traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner
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

Learn More about keep

  1. Dictionary: Definition of keep Spanish Central: Translation of keep Nglish: Translation of keep for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of keep for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about keep

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up keep? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games