1
as in custody
responsibility for the safety and well-being of someone or something
put the house keys into a neighbor's secure keeping while they were on vacation
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2
as in hands
the fact or state of having (something) at one's disposal
my aunt has all of our family's old photographs in her keeping
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3
as in adherence
the following of a custom, rule, or law
the keeping of religious laws and traditions
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4
as in shape
a state of being or fitness
the estate hasn't been in good keeping since the owner suffered financial reverses
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1
as in celebrating
to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony
keep the Sabbath by not working
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2
as in retaining
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 fulfilling
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
as in storing
to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability
I keep extra toothbrushes for unexpected overnight guests
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5
as in supporting
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 managing
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 controlling
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 protecting
to drive danger or attack away from
may God bless and keep you
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Cite this Entry
“Keeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keeping. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.
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