Synonyms of keep

keep 1 of 5

verb (1)

ˈkēp 

1

as in to celebrate

to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony

keep the Sabbath by not working

Synonyms & Similar Words

• celebrate
• commemorate
• bless
• observe
• remember
• honor
• sanctify
• consecrate
• solemnize
• praise
• laud
• memorialize
• fete
• fête

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• break
• violate
• forget
• ignore
• disregard
• transgress
• overlook
• neglect
• blow off

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

• retain
• hold
• preserve
• save
• have
• possess
• protect
• withhold
• enjoy
• conserve
• reserve
• guard
• hold on to
• own
• hang on to
• manage
• control
• boast
• detain
• rule
• direct
• treasure
• cherish
• cling (to)
• command
• bear
• harbor
• hug

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• give
• yield
• give up
• relinquish
• release
• abandon
• surrender
• contribute
• drop
• donate
• hand over
• discard
• lose
• dump
• cede
• reject
• decline
• hand out
• repudiate
• spurn

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

• fulfill
• fulfil
• satisfy
• complete
• meet
• fill
• comply (with)
• make good
• answer
• finalize
• redeem
• abide by
• make good on
• achieve
• accomplish
• finish
• make
• perfect
• execute
• carry out
• conclude
• effect
• bring about
• perform
• consummate
• commit
• bring off
• discharge
• compass
• follow through (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• break
• violate
• breach
• forget
• ignore
• transgress
• slight
• disregard
• overlook
• pass over
• neglect
• default (on)
• overpass

4

as in to store

to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability

I keep extra toothbrushes for unexpected overnight guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

• store
• house
• stow
• pack
• put up
• garage
• reposit
• warehouse
• cellar
• file
• shelve
• hangar

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

• maintain
• support
• provide (for)
• take care of
• fund
• finance
• underwrite
• foot the bill (for)
• patronize
• set up
• sponsor
• stake

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

• manage
• operate
• supervise
• control
• handle
• regulate
• oversee
• run
• conduct
• govern
• protect
• tend
• direct
• guide
• carry on
• administer
• watch over
• preside (over)
• overlook
• steer
• watch
• administrate
• superintend
• steward
• mind
• safeguard
• lead
• guard
• care (for)
• pilot
• micromanage
• stage-manage
• codirect
• comanage

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

• control
• contain
• regulate
• curb
• restrain
• hold
• check
• suppress
• measure
• stop
• stifle
• tame
• govern
• constrain
• inhibit
• rule
• pull in
• rein (in)
• swallow
• interrupt
• bridle
• repress
• smother
• hinder
• hold back
• impede
• strangle
• choke (back)
• sink
• obstruct
• hamper
• block
• squelch
• silence
• arrest
• muffle
• pocket
• mince
• bottle (up)
• handcuff
• muzzle
• gag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose
• liberate
• loosen
• loose
• express
• take out
• vent
• unleash
• air

8

as in to protect

to drive danger or attack away from

may God bless and keep you

Synonyms & Similar Words

• protect
• defend
• safeguard
• guard
• shield
• secure
• prevent
• save
• fend
• fence
• ward
• preserve
• cover
• stand up for
• screen
• conserve
• bulwark
• resist
• withstand
• forfend
• oppose
• war
• avert
• fight
• contend
• picket
• wall
• battle
• buffer
• palisade

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attack
• assault
• assail
• submit
• overrun
• yield
• cave
• beset
• bombard
• storm
• besiege
• capitulate

keep

2 of 5

noun

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

• preserving
• maintenance
• preservation
• conservation
• conserving
• upkeep
• care and feeding
• support
• sustaining
• sustentation
• protection
• guarding
• custody
• safeguarding
• defense
• conservancy
• safekeeping
• care
• guardianship

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignoring
• disregard
• neglect
• negligence
• harm
• injury
• destruction
• damage
• hurt
• ruin
• inattention
• demolition
• dereliction
• ruination

keep (from)

3 of 5

verb (2)

as in to avoid

to resist the temptation of

try to keep from eating all the chocolate in one day!

Synonyms & Similar Words

• avoid
• refrain (from)
• withhold (from)
• abstain (from)
• forego
• forgo
• deny
• forbear
• refuse
• abjure
• shun
• check
• curb
• constrain
• eschew
• inhibit
• combat
• reject
• repudiate
• fight
• buck

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• yield (to)
• submit (to)
• give in (to)
• succumb (to)
• bow (to)
• surrender (to)
• concede (to)
• acquiesce (to)
• capitulate
• knuckle under (to)

keep (to)

4 of 5

verb (3)

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

• stick (to or with)
• adhere (to)
• cling (to)
• defend
• hold to
• stand by
• hew (to)
• live up to
• abide by
• accept
• cleave (to)
• cultivate
• follow
• support
• endorse
• adopt
• embrace
• enforce
• confirm
• advocate
• reinforce
• uphold
• back
• indorse
• foster
• espouse
• bolster
• cherish
• heed
• champion
• buttress
• boost
• reenforce
• backstop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• defect (from)
• give up
• abandon
• take back
• forsake
• recall
• relinquish
• disagree (with)
• withdraw
• surrender
• reconsider
• desert
• revoke
• spurn
• renounce
• retract
• deny
• refute
• disprove
• dispute
• abjure
• recant
• renege
• contradict
• negative
• rebut
• controvert
• back down
• negate
• repudiate
• back off
• abnegate
• disavow
• disown
• gainsay
• disclaim
• unsay
• backtrack

keep to

5 of 5

phrase

as in obey

to act according to the commands of

Let's keep to the original plan, shall we?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obey
• follow
• conform (to)
• comply (with)
• observe
• adhere (to)
• abide by
• yield (to)
• fall in with
• submit (to)
• mind
• goose-step (to)
• defer (to)
• surrender (to)
• agree (to)
• accede (to)
• listen (to)
• hear
• regard
• assent (to)
• watch
• take
• notice
• acquiesce (to)
• attend
• note
• heed
• mark

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rebel (against)
• challenge
• defy
• dare
• disobey
• refuse
• direct
• ignore
• lead
• brush (off)
• pass over
• renounce
• repudiate
• wink (at)
• disregard
• dismiss
• violate
• breach
• break
• overlook
• tune out
• revolt (against)
• resist
• disoblige
• shrug off
• mock
• fight
• combat
• scoff (at)
• oppose
• infringe
• withstand
• dispute
• pooh
• contest
• overpass
• scorn
• transgress
• buck
• mutiny (against)
• pooh-pooh
• deride
• flout

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of keep

Verb

Ramirez ended up paying Vega $5,000 and his insurance company paid him another $20,000 — but Ramirez kept the business, assets and trademark. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025

Read more from The Hill’s Brett Samuels. — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. —Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 10 May 2025

Noun

A week after the adoption event, the couple drove to his foster carer's house to take Fletcher home for keeps. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025

An initial eight: There was little doubt about Spoelstra playing this one for keeps. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2025

Phrases Containing keep

• keep (from)
• keep (someone) posted
• keep (to)
• keep a lookout for
• keep an eye on
• keep clear of
• keep company
• keep company (with)
• keep in touch with
• keep one's eyes open (for)
• keep one's eyes peeled (for)
• keep to
• keep up