keep 1 of 5

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
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

6
7
8

keep

2 of 5

noun

keep (from)

3 of 5

verb (2)

keep (to)

4 of 5

verb (3)

keep to

5 of 5

phrase

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
Both quarterbacks faced quality defenses and challenges in their own ways — Herbert with the withering pass rush and Nix with the frustrating Jesse Minter shells that keep everything in front and require a combination of patience and opportunism. Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025 The Patriots’ defense allowed two quick scores to the Steelers in Week 3 before settling down and keeping its offense in the game through five giveaways. Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
Honestly, video doorbells earn their keep just by catching package drops and raccoons with attitude. PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025 Zubimendi was leading the keep-ball in front of the defence. Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025 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
  • And in Georgia, aggressive roll maintenance and steady Republican registration drives have helped the GOP blunt Democrats’ earlier gains and remain competitive in statewide contests.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025
  • But even skin and scalp maintenance gets simpler since our bodies are super generative and do a lot of the work for us.
    Essence, Essence, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The gardens bloom seasonally against the backdrop of the Alps, and the park—including a pond, historic fountains, and mature trees—is largely protected under Swiss preservation rules, so the setting will stay just as peaceful for years to come.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The technique revealed details difficult to see in visible light alone, like areas of soft tissue preservation, the condition of the limestone in which the fossils were preserved, and the thickness of the hollow walls of the bones.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 28 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on keep

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!