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keep (to) 1 of 2

verb

Definition of keep (to)next
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

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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)
  1. defend
  2. hold to
  3. stand by
  4. abide by
  5. accept
Verb
  • Michelle Lewis, a songwriter and the co-founder and chief executive of the nonprofit Songwriters of North America, said the composition side of that copyright split is often the harder one to defend.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Having taken home the top spot on the 50 Top Pizza list three years in a row and coming in a respectable second place in this edition, Una Pizza Napoletana defends its aptonym well.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Sep. 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
  • Newsom stood by his return-to-office mandate in his veto letter to the Legislature.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Lizzie’s father, meanwhile, stands by quietly as his wife berates both his daughter and the family maid, Margaret, at dinner that evening.
    — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of stand by
Verb
  • But as a rookie, Wilson doesn’t plan to abide by that hierarchy.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
  • Courts still must abide by their precedents and these three legal pillars if a lawsuit hits their dockets.
    — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 22 June 2026
Definition of abide by
Verb
  • Any deal would almost certainly need to accept the Houthis’ participation in Yemeni politics and provide the group economic benefits, possibly including a share of Yemen’s oil revenues.
    — RICHARD HAASS, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The response period, if any, and the legal consequences of accepting or declining an offer can depend on the specific language used and the applicable law.
    — Ethan Stone, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 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
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Cite this Entry

“Keep (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep%20%28to%29. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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