Synonyms of kept

kept

verb

past tense of keep

1

as in celebrated

to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony

keep the Sabbath by not working

Synonyms & Similar Words

• celebrated
• commemorated
• observed
• blessed
• remembered
• honored
• praised
• consecrated
• sanctified
• lauded
• solemnized
• feted
• memorialized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• broke
• violated
• ignored
• neglected
• disregarded
• transgressed
• overlooked
• forgot
• blew off

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

• retained
• held
• preserved
• possessed
• saved
• had
• withheld
• protected
• reserved
• enjoyed
• conserved
• guarded
• owned
• held on to
• hung on to
• boasted
• managed
• controlled
• ruled
• detained
• bore
• directed
• hugged
• commanded
• cherished
• harbored
• clung (to)
• treasured

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• released
• yielded
• gave
• surrendered
• dropped
• abandoned
• gave up
• contributed
• ceded
• relinquished
• donated
• handed over
• discarded
• lost
• dumped
• rejected
• declined
• handed out
• repudiated
• spurned

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

• fulfilled
• satisfied
• completed
• met
• filled
• answered
• redeemed
• made good
• finalized
• finished
• complied (with)
• made
• achieved
• executed
• concluded
• accomplished
• abided by
• perfected
• effected
• carried out
• brought about
• committed
• performed
• consummated
• discharged
• brought off
• followed through (with)
• compassed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• broke
• violated
• breached
• ignored
• transgressed
• neglected
• disregarded
• overlooked
• defaulted (on)
• forgot
• passed over
• slighted
• overpassed

4

as in stored

to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability

I keep extra toothbrushes for unexpected overnight guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stored
• housed
• stowed
• packed
• reposited
• put up
• warehoused
• filed
• garaged
• hangared
• shelved
• cellared

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

• maintained
• supported
• provided (for)
• took care of
• financed
• funded
• sponsored
• staked
• patronized
• footed the bill (for)
• set up
• underwrote

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

• managed
• operated
• controlled
• supervised
• handled
• conducted
• regulated
• ran
• oversaw
• governed
• tended
• directed
• administered
• protected
• guided
• carried on
• overlooked
• presided (over)
• led
• steered
• administrated
• superintended
• watched
• stewarded
• watched over
• guarded
• safeguarded
• minded
• piloted
• cared (for)
• micromanaged
• stage-managed
• comanaged
• codirected

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

• contained
• controlled
• regulated
• curbed
• restrained
• held
• measured
• suppressed
• checked
• stopped
• stifled
• tamed
• governed
• ruled
• constrained
• inhibited
• pulled in
• swallowed
• bridled
• interrupted
• reined (in)
• repressed
• hindered
• hampered
• smothered
• minced
• blocked
• arrested
• impeded
• strangled
• muffled
• held back
• silenced
• sank
• choked (back)
• squelched
• obstructed
• pocketed
• handcuffed
• bottled (up)
• muzzled
• gagged

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lost
• liberated
• loosened
• expressed
• took out
• unleashed
• aired
• loosed
• vented

8

as in protected

to drive danger or attack away from

may God bless and keep you

Synonyms & Similar Words

• protected
• defended
• guarded
• safeguarded
• shielded
• secured
• warded
• prevented
• fended
• fenced
• saved
• covered
• preserved
• stood up for
• screened
• resisted
• opposed
• bulwarked
• forfended
• conserved
• averted
• withstood
• contended
• fought
• warred
• battled
• buffered
• picketed
• walled
• palisaded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attacked
• assailed
• assaulted
• bombarded
• stormed
• submitted
• beset
• besieged
• yielded
• overran
• caved
• capitulated

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of kept

Spurs kept a clean sheet, an achievement to build on after shipping five in their opening two, and looked solid, if a little unimaginative in midfield. — Elias Burke, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

As the Yeomen continued losing games last year, the larger college-football machine kept humming at campuses across the country. — Jesse Dougherty, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

That’s why physical books kept booming, long after the experts predicted they’d be replaced by digital readers. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2026

His smooth run was interrupted during the Dodgers’ run to the 2024 World Series when Walter suffered a stroke that kept him from the victory celebration. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

The floating schools were a response to a longstanding local problem of seasonal floods and impassable, muddy roads that kept children from reaching conventional schools. — Ali Asif Shawon, NPR, 5 Sep. 2026

Heat and uneven rainfall have stressed forests in some areas, while timely moisture has kept others lush. — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

But Mensah spread the ball around as well, which kept Stanford (1-1, 0-1 ACC). — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026

Only the machinations of ABC/Disney and my own rogue immune system have kept me from writing recaps here on Vulture over the last 11 years. — Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026