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
• praise
• laud
• memorialize
• solemnize
• fete

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
• satisfy
• complete
• meet
• fill
• comply (with)
• make good
• answer
• finalize
• redeem
• abide by
• make
• achieve
• finish
• accomplish
• perfect
• execute
• conclude
• carry out
• effect
• bring about
• perform
• commit
• consummate
• 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)
• 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
• confirm
• enforce
• advocate
• reinforce
• uphold
• back
• foster
• espouse
• bolster
• cherish
• heed
• champion
• buttress
• boost
• 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
• oppose
• scoff (at)
• infringe
• withstand
• dispute
• contest
• scorn
• transgress
• buck
• overpass
• mutiny (against)
• pooh-pooh
• deride
• flout

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of keep

Verb

Improve one routine, prep ahead, or organize something that keeps future stress lower. —Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026

Retail’s hiring surge reflects growing optimism that consumers will keep spending in the face of economic shocks, Stahle said. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 10 May 2026

Noun

The sport adaptive air suspension earns its keep here. —Chris Jackson, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026

In a micro dining room, functionality is key; every piece has to earn its keep. —Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026

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