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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of kept
The Fresno State product didn’t exactly wow with size — a visible tick shy of a 5-foot-11 pre-draft measurement — but displayed solid timing and kept the rhythm humming on Saturday.
—
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 May 2026
Santa Margarita’s baseball team finished in last place in the Trinity League, but the Eagles kept practicing even after their final regular-season game.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
Our conversations kept finding their way to Rotterdam.
—Nicholas Dawidoff, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
The Lakers kept the pressure defense on Gilgeous-Alexander.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Later, Liu Kang himself seemingly dies in a showdown with Shao Kahn, although his fate is kept a bit more vague.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Wilson also reported that Paschel took her phone and kept her from leaving.
—Aya Al-Hakim, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Fortunately, Tony came out of that one unscathed, and even more fortunately, the internet has kept it alive for over two decades.
—Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
Though the start of the pandemic soon after halted her momentum, DeVaux kept at it, eventually taking the Breeder’s Cup in 2024.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 3 May 2026
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 May 2026
Santa Margarita’s baseball team finished in last place in the Trinity League, but the Eagles kept practicing even after their final regular-season game.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
Our conversations kept finding their way to Rotterdam.
—Nicholas Dawidoff, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
The Lakers kept the pressure defense on Gilgeous-Alexander.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Later, Liu Kang himself seemingly dies in a showdown with Shao Kahn, although his fate is kept a bit more vague.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Wilson also reported that Paschel took her phone and kept her from leaving.
—Aya Al-Hakim, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Fortunately, Tony came out of that one unscathed, and even more fortunately, the internet has kept it alive for over two decades.
—Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
Though the start of the pandemic soon after halted her momentum, DeVaux kept at it, eventually taking the Breeder’s Cup in 2024.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 3 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kept
Verb
-
That show, the 2022 Berlin Biennale, was celebrated in some corners for its emphasis on artists of the Global South.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
8 May 2026
-
London celebrated David Attenborough’s centenary on Friday, with the highlight being a special BBC broadcast evening event at the Royal Albert Hall in the British capital dedicated to the work of the legendary English broadcaster, natural historian and conservationist.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
First Residence retained a slightly quieter, more residential feel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
Under current North Carolina law, Charlotte is required to send 90% of citation revenue to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, with the remaining 10% retained by the city for administrative costs.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Congress has not always fulfilled its oversight responsibilities, and the differences between the last two administrations are a clear example of that.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
An Orlando resident has completed his end of the plea bargain from a 2020 crash that killed three teens, and now the courts have fulfilled theirs by wiping his criminal record clean.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
About 95% is stored in skeletal muscle and 5% in the brain and heart.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 May 2026
-
State police said the skull that washed up along the Connecticut River was not initially tested for DNA and had been stored with the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
What matters is the quality standard being maintained and the commitment to the customer.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
-
Dancing with controversial men’s rights activists While Peters has maintained a general apathy toward political thought, that hasn’t kept him from cozying up to some of the most controversial figures in the manosphere.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Johannes then drilled a transition 3-pointer that got the home crowd fired up, though the Sun still managed to outscore the Liberty 23-21 in the third.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
The ban affects private destinations in the Bahamas managed by Carnival Cruise Line, including Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to possessing the destructive device, which contained flammable ethanol and a wick designed to ignite when lighted.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
When Federal Reserve officials convened on March 17-18, just a few weeks after the war broke out, Chair Jerome Powell said any effects on inflation would likely be temporary and could be contained within the energy industry, keeping the door open for at least one rate cut this year.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Progress has been made, but it must be protected.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
The mansion is protected by a conservation easement with the Missouri Preservation Society, protecting the house and a one-foot radius around it from being torn down.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kept. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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