1
as in celebrated
to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony
keep the Sabbath by not working
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in retained
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fulfilled
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in maintained
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
as in managed
to look after and make decisions about
enlisted a relative to keep the store while she was away
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in contained
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
try to keep your composure no matter what happens
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in protected
to drive danger or attack away from
may God bless and keep you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 kept
Khloe kept things more Monte Carlo-summer-esque, in a plunging halter top, black capri pants, and thong sandals.
—
Vogue, 6 June 2026
But concerns continued to mount, especially following the 2009 revelation of Iran's Fordow nuclear enrichment facility, which was initially kept secret from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 6 June 2026
On the back, a checkerboard heel detail kept the Vans language intact beneath the collaboration’s heavier decoration.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 6 June 2026
And should they be kept secret?
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
All calls will be kept confidential.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 6 June 2026
Shen kept the Redhawks on the attack.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
From there, her ambitions kept growing.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 6 June 2026
The Rockies kept piling on and taking away any chance for late-game drama in LoDo.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Vogue, 6 June 2026
But concerns continued to mount, especially following the 2009 revelation of Iran's Fordow nuclear enrichment facility, which was initially kept secret from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 6 June 2026
On the back, a checkerboard heel detail kept the Vans language intact beneath the collaboration’s heavier decoration.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 6 June 2026
And should they be kept secret?
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
All calls will be kept confidential.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 6 June 2026
Shen kept the Redhawks on the attack.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
From there, her ambitions kept growing.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 6 June 2026
The Rockies kept piling on and taking away any chance for late-game drama in LoDo.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kept
Verb
-
Tens of thousands of fans spontaneously celebrated in the streets around the Emirates Stadium, despite no game even being played at the arena.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
The fast casual chain celebrated the moment with a social post that chronicled the card's journey from Los Angeles to New York City's Madison Square Garden.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
According to the staff report, data is retained for a maximum of one year unless part of an active investigation, and annual audits are conducted to verify compliance with privacy policies.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2026
-
In hiring Jeffrey Kessler, Sorsby has retained a top sports litigator for his case against the NCAA.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Rules must be enforced, budgets must be balanced, and duties need to be fulfilled.—
Niurys Robaina,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
-
Blackstone fulfilled 100% of those requests by raising its quarterly cap and using employee capital to cover the remaining amount.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
An inspector found rodent droppings in a location where dairy was stored along with pieces of food, which led to the immediate closure of the grocery section.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
Because of this, any important information stored online needs strong cybersecurity to stay safe.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Another in 2024 accused the company of failing to keep equipment properly maintained and for failing to report a breakdown in a blending kettle, records show.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
Yet that is not down to Guimaraes; the Brazilian has maintained his standards and, to a degree, somehow arguably even raised them.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Any improvements to the crappie house and boat slips would have to be managed by Plyler, Spicer said.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2026
-
But this divide cannot be managed if it’s not measured.—
Matt Rosenbaum,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Even inside the courtroom, where cameras were not allowed, enthusiasm for Jackson’s music could not be contained.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2026
-
That sense of exclusivity carries over to the rest of the public areas, and the fireplace lounge, which is as popular with guests as with locals, feels contained but not walled off.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Most durable businesses are protected by network effects, switching costs, or regulatory barriers — advantages that can be modeled and sometimes replicated.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
The decision, announced Thursday by the Department of Homeland Security, marked a rare reprieve for people protected by temporary measures that have been harshly criticized by Republicans.—
Gisela Salomon,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kept. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
