1
as in to celebrate
to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony
keep the Sabbath by not working
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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
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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
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4
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
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6
as in to manage
to look after and make decisions about
enlisted a relative to keep the store while she was away
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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
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8
as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
may God bless and keep you
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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
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as in to avoid
to resist the temptation of
try to keep from eating all the chocolate in one day!
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as in to stick (to or with)
to give steadfast support to
always keeps to his political positions, even when they are unpopular
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keep to
5 of 5phrase
as in obey
to act according to the commands of
Let's keep to the original plan, shall we?
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of keep
William Arruda, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Except for what keeps coming up in this most interesting of books.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025
Tell that to the millions of regular people working at fast-food joints and factories who must go to work every day to earn their keep.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for keep
Verb
Then, use your human connection skills to foster collaboration, resolve conflict, and keep people aligned, motivated, and moving forward.
Adaptability.
—William Arruda, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Except for what keeps coming up in this most interesting of books.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Noun
Ensure the keep pile isn’t overflowing while your donate pile is slim.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025
Tell that to the millions of regular people working at fast-food joints and factories who must go to work every day to earn their keep.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for keep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep
Noun
-
The pool update that night was brief and didn’t answer many of the questions parents still had about the impact to the district’s general fund, other district maintenance and facility needs, as well as logistics like rental rates and how use will be scheduled.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 June 2025
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Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, tree planting and maintenance, urban forest planning, workforce development, invasive species management and forest restoration.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2025
Noun
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Referring to the city’s 2017 rezoning, Kolb said city officials had pledged to protect the Garment District with dedicated funding, the preservation of manufacturing spaces and targeted tax relief, but many of those commitments remain unmet.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
18 June 2025
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Bungalow courts form a wonderful part of what the historic preservation community calls naturally occurring affordable housing.—
Eric Duvall,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.
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