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
Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Instead, Musselman and his Trojans (18-9, 7-9 Big Ten) were left again wondering how their worst-case scenarios just keep coming true.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Heather Bien, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026
The Mercedes-Benz cars were rolled out with lane keep and driver assistance features to help drivers stay in their lanes, Kani said.
—Kif Leswing, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for keep
Verb
If no one wins the jackpot, the cash prize will keep ticking up.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Instead, Musselman and his Trojans (18-9, 7-9 Big Ten) were left again wondering how their worst-case scenarios just keep coming true.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
Furniture needs to do more than look pretty to earn its keep.
—Heather Bien, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026
The Mercedes-Benz cars were rolled out with lane keep and driver assistance features to help drivers stay in their lanes, Kani said.
—Kif Leswing, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for keep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep
Verb
-
Always the competitor, Griffey is excited about the chance to get the shot of the World Baseball Classic, just like his photo of Rory McIlroy celebrating his 2025 Masters victory.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In China, fans have no qualms about her dual identity – even celebrating her two silver medals this week and defending her against any criticisms for missing out on gold.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If a player challenges successfully, their team retains the opportunity to do so again.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Poway, the reigning Masters Champion but the runner-up in the Division 2 section finals meet two weeks ago, powered through to retain the Masters team title at 183 points, highlighted by having six finalists and three champions.—
Breven Honda,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For Guizio, delving further into footwear fulfills a goal of offering the customer a full wardrobe dressing.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
More paraprofessionals in particular would help ensure the district is meeting legal obligation to fulfill the needs of students with Individualized Education Programs, or IEPs.—
Theo Peck-Suzuki,
Hartford Courant,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Before this week, water stored in snowpack was near record-minimum levels in Colorado and Utah, a critical portion of the Colorado River basin that serves approximately 40 million people.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Stars use fusion to generate hundreds of times the energy stored even gravitationally.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The center also runs its own preschools, some of them state-subsidized, and maintains a waitlist for low-income families waiting for subsidized care.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Another challenge has been maintaining student engagement.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But Posey, the executive, seems content to manage a massive talent debt to the Dodgers that grows larger by the day.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Coyotes also manage urban deer populations — a critical ecosystem function because ballooning deer herds can decimate forests, stunt plant growth and contribute to invasive species influxes.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There is no specific rule about who qualifies for the honor, a decision controlled by concurrence from both the House and Senate.—
MATT BROWN,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
-
First, Iran would have to be able to control the strait after a strike.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Legal experts say the court records and videos show that the administration is often abusing the law to target activities protected by the First Amendment, rather than using it to defend federal officers.—
Isabelle Chapman,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In areas within the USDA hardiness zones, a 2 to 4 inch layer of organic mulch will help protect roots and maintain the moisture level in the soil.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
