1
as in custody
responsibility for the safety and well-being of someone or something
put the house keys into a neighbor's secure keeping while they were on vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in hands
the fact or state of having (something) at one's disposal
my aunt has all of our family's old photographs in her keeping
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in adherence
the following of a custom, rule, or law
the keeping of religious laws and traditions
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in shape
a state of being or fitness
the estate hasn't been in good keeping since the owner suffered financial reverses
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in celebrating
to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony
keep the Sabbath by not working
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in retaining
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
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3
as in fulfilling
to do what is required by the terms of
make sure you keep your promise to help out at the homeless shelter
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4
as in storing
to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability
I keep extra toothbrushes for unexpected overnight guests
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5
as in supporting
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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6
as in managing
to look after and make decisions about
enlisted a relative to keep the store while she was away
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7
as in controlling
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
try to keep your composure no matter what happens
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8
as in protecting
to drive danger or attack away from
may God bless and keep you
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of keeping
Staff Author, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
The Athletic reported on Wednesday that a lack of discipline, which includes poor time-keeping, were constant issues during Frank’s reign.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2026
Meteorological spring gives forecasters a consistent three-month period for record-keeping and seasonal comparisons.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for keeping
Noun
New elements were intentionally installed using historic techniques; for example, new stonework was installed in the keeping room (an informal seating area adjacent to the kitchen), using a random fieldstone pattern typical of homes from the era.
—Staff Author, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
The Athletic reported on Wednesday that a lack of discipline, which includes poor time-keeping, were constant issues during Frank’s reign.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Verb
McDowell calmly drained two free throws with 47 seconds left, keeping KU comfortably ahead of BYU, 86-78.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2026
Meteorological spring gives forecasters a consistent three-month period for record-keeping and seasonal comparisons.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for keeping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keeping
Noun
-
The Sheriff's Department will also conduct an in-custody death review.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
And continue to pray for the safety of the law enforcement community who are attempting to take the suspect into custody, and that no further law enforcement or innocent bystanders will be in harms way.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Belt-Stubblefield ignored orders to stop and raised his hands, and Neely punched him in an attempt to de-escalate the situation, according to Chamberlain’s account in the days after the shooting.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Goldberg's relatable flub came amid a Hot Topics discussion about Punch, an adorable macaque whose story of abandonment and bullying at the hands of other primates inside his Japanese zoo enclosure took the internet by storm across the last week.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Comments are moderated for adherence to our Community Guidelines.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
His stalwart adherence to his vision despite its lack of commercial viability earned him the admiration of his peers.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Dumplings come in all shapes and sizes, with the dough and fillings usually made fresh in large family gatherings at home.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
26 Feb. 2026
-
There’s Jacob Elordi and his suite of Bottega Veneta, Fendi, and Burberry bags in every size, shape, and weave going.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
His two lob dunks left his Lakers teammates celebrating from the bench.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
-
There were forces stopping and interrogating people celebrating in their cars, but there was no gunfire, said the doctor, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And perhaps the Nilgiri has something complimentary to say, too, by return of gaze about Bensley’s lovely interiors, which use warm colors and the symbolic palette of Tibetan Buddhism while retaining a quirkiness and insouciance.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, larger total weights like six-carat four-prong studs create a striking presence while retaining timeless simplicity.—
Malana VanTayler,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While many of us who are blind or visually impaired live fulfilling, independent lives going to work, school and other activities, our biggest barrier to full participation in society is affordable, reliable transportation.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
-
These are the growing number of young men who are dropouts, do not work or have meaningful or fulfilling jobs, do not marry, have no children, few friends, and live in the basement of their parents’ home.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This bag also makes an excellent travel companion with a handy zipper pocket in the front flap for storing passports and important papers.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Follow these guidelines for storing butter properly.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Keeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keeping. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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