keep

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 of keep care and feeding, conservation, conserving, maintenance, preservation, preserving, sustentation, upkeepWords Related to keep conservancy; support, sustaining; care, custody, guardianship; defense, guarding, protection, safeguarding, safekeepingNear Antonyms of keep dereliction, disregard, ignoring, inattention, neglect, negligence; damage, demolition, destruction, harm, hurt, injury, ruin, ruination

1 to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony keep the Sabbath by not working Synonyms of keep celebrate, commemorate, observe Words Related to keep bless, consecrate, sanctify, solemnize; fete (or fête), honor, laud, praise; memorialize, remember Near Antonyms of keep blow off, disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, overlook Antonyms of keep break, transgress, violate

2 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 of keep hold, reserve, retain, withhold Words Related to keep conserve, guard, preserve, protect, save; boast, enjoy, have, own, possess; command, control, detain, direct, manage, rule; bear, harbor; cherish, cling (to), hug, treasure Phrases hang on to, hold on to Near Antonyms of keep abandon, cede, drop; contribute, donate, give, hand out; discard, dump; decline, reject, repudiate, spurn; lose Antonyms of keep give up, hand over, release, relinquish, surrender, yield

3 to do what is required by the terms of make sure you keep your promise to help out at the homeless shelter Synonyms of keep answer, complete, comply (with), fill, fulfill, meet, redeem, satisfyWords Related to keep conclude, consummate, finalize, finish, perfect; accomplish, achieve, bring about, bring off, carry out, effect; commit, compass, discharge, execute, follow through (with), make, performNear Antonyms of keep default (on); disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, overlook, overpass, pass over, slightAntonyms of keep breach, break, transgress, violate

4 to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability I keep extra toothbrushes for unexpected overnight guests Synonyms of keep store, put up, reposit, stowWords Related to keep cellar, garage, hangar, house, warehouse; file, pack, shelve

5 to pay the living expenses of looking for a sugar daddy to keep her in a style to which she'd dearly love to become accustomed Synonyms of keep support, maintain, provide (for)Words Related to keep finance, fund, patronize, set up, sponsor, stake, underwrite

6 to look after and make decisions about enlisted a relative to keep the store while she was away Synonyms of keep administer, administrate, carry on, control, direct, govern, guide, handle, conduct, manage, operate, overlook, oversee, preside (over), regulate, run, steward, superintend, supervise, tendWords Related to keep care (for), mind, watch; lead, pilot, steer; guard, protect, safeguard; micromanage, stage-manage; codirect, comanage

7 to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) at least try to keep your temper during the holiday meal Synonyms of keep bridle, check, constrain, contain, curb, govern, hold, inhibit, control, measure, pull in, regulate, rein (in), restrain, rule, tameWords Related to keep bottle (up), choke (back), hold back, mince, muffle, pocket, repress, sink, smother, squelch, stifle, strangle, suppress, swallow; arrest, interrupt, stop; block, hamper, handcuff, hinder, impede, obstruct; gag, muzzle, silenceNear Antonyms of keep liberate, loose, loosen, unleash; air, express, take out, ventAntonyms of keep lose

8 to drive danger or attack away from may God bless and keep you Synonyms of keep bulwark, cover, fence, fend, forfend, guard, defend, protect, safeguard, screen, secure, shield, wardWords Related to keep avert, prevent; oppose, resist, withstand; battle, contend, fight, war; conserve, preserve, save; buffer, palisade, picket, wallNear Antonyms of keep bombard, storm; beset, besiege, overrun; capitulate, cave, submit, yieldAntonyms of keep assail, assault, attack