KEEP (TO) Synonyms: 136 Similar and Opposite Words

keep (to) 1 of 2

verb

Definition of keep (to)

as in to stick (to or with)

to give steadfast support to always keeps to his political positions, even when they are unpopular

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

keep to

2 of 2

phrase

as in obey

to act according to the commands of Let's keep to the original plan, shall we?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep (to)

Verb

The admission was astonishing after his defense team had spent years diligently defending him against the charges.

— Emily Smith, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
In a year where the quality of his car has made any thought of defending his title seem distant, this was a race where Norris looked every bit a world champion.

— Luke Smith, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Definition of defend

Verb

Reese, Naz Hilman and Madina Okot were held to 28 points combined with Okot scoring 16 – mostly in the fourth quarter.

— Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
After scoring 14 runs to begin this four-game series, the Royals have been held to just five runs in their last 18 innings.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026

Definition of hold to

Verb

Justin Sullivan | Getty Images The Food and Drug Administration stood by its main conclusions about the origin of the cyclosporiasis outbreak yesterday after its announcement of a false positive test led to confusion.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 21 July 2026
The France players headed down the tunnel and England stood by the podium in the middle of the pitch.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Definition of stand by

Verb

The club with the player on its discovery list then has five days (or three days during the secondary transfer window) to either accept the $50,000 and pass on the right to sign the player or make the player a reasonable offer.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
What other sport accepts diving as an accepted part of the game?

— The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of accept

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.

Browse Nearby Words

keeps up (with)

keep (to)

keep to

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Keep (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep%20%28to%29. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of keep (to)

verb

phrase

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inveigle

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes