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Definition of keepnext
1
as in to celebrate
to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony keep the Sabbath by not working

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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keep

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noun

keep (from)

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verb (2)

keep (to)

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verb (3)

keep to

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phrase

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

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
Also be sure to keep an eye out for wild sloth viewings all the while, as this region is full of them. Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026 Investors fear that the war will disrupt the Persian Gulf's energy industry for a long time, setting off a punishing wave of global inflation by keeping large amounts of oil and natural gas out of global markets. CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
Large contributions buy influence over politicians and their votes, which is why the super-rich keep getting richer while so many ordinary people struggle. Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026 Several gardening experts have weighed in on exactly which tools earn their keep and which ones collect dust in the shed. Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for keep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep
Noun
  • There are solutions for age verification that are both accurate and privacy preserving.
    Annie Chestnut Tutor, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The service allows airlines to stream entertainment to passengers’ devices instead of installing heavier in-flight entertainment systems, reducing maintenance and fuel costs.
    Sydney Goh, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The special tax zone, which is exlusive to the property, will exact a property tax on future homeowners and buisnesses to fund the creation and maintenance of future roads, sewers and water utilities across the development.
    Samuel O’Neal March 30, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Researchers have also observed promising improvements in metabolic markers and better preservation of lean muscle mass, says Burns.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
  • But the transition from accumulation to preservation introduces a different kind of calculus — one where tax efficiency can matter as much as market returns.
    Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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