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

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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
The five zippered pockets are useful for keeping essentials secure while sightseeing, hiking, or navigating busy airports, and the moisture-wicking fabric is helpful in hot or humid weather. Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2026 With or without a flashlight, searching the house for treasure can keep kids (and parents) busy for hours. Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
Noun
Coal and natural gas keep emerging as avenues to prosperity. Jim Cramer, CNBC, 17 May 2026 Those least responsible are hit first, those most responsible keep delaying, and those already facing the consequences are told to be patient. Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for keep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep
Verb
  • It was tempered only by a parallel movement to celebrate Garrincha’s life and to restate, one last time and for future generations, the reasons for his status as a national emblem.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • But Bailey and Erivo are acutely aware that not every member of the LGBTQ community is able to exist in a place where they’re not only accepted but celebrated.
    K.J. Yossman, Variety, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • Locking him in would keep a solid special teams player and veteran voice on the roster, but the Hawks shouldn’t overpay to retain him.
    Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
  • But with no definitive word on whether or not Nikki is ready to come back, the safer pick is Brie and Page retaining the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Verb
  • Recently, however, cofounder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has articulated aggressive AI ambitions and invested in a massive compute infrastructure and wildly expensive talent pool to fulfill them.
    Ellie Austin, Fortune, 27 May 2026
  • People typically desire to be part of a team where they are valued as humans and not just as someone fulfilling a role.
    Nancy Padberg, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • Some 40,000 people were initially ordered to evacuate after a tank storing a toxic industrial chemical overheated and caused pressure to build up on May 21.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 26 May 2026
  • During that time, the dog reportedly moved around in the rear seat area and came into contact with a shotgun stored in the vehicle.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
Verb
  • However, Khatima also maintained that the four humors played a role in determining the plague’s course.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
  • The property has been through multiple restorations and maintained its Art Deco glamour.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • The hive’s sturdy, portable design allowed nineteenth-century beekeepers to manage and transport colonies over long distances.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
  • How has your background prepared you to manage the fiscal health of the county’s school districts?
    Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • The measure triggered a storm of publicity and a nationwide debate over the merits of using local ordinances to control gun ownership, but was upheld in 1984 by the Illinois Supreme Court.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
  • Speculation about the sale of Missoni began circulating in January, and in March, the brand announced that FSI would become the controlling shareholder.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Vogue, 22 May 2026
Verb
  • Search for a director of football Sources with knowledge of the situation — who, like all those cited in this piece, spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships — say Nuno will have a big say in the appointment of a director of football.
    Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • Perry’s grieving mother accuses Iwamasa of betraying his duty to protect her son.
    Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 28 May. 2026.

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