upkeep

noun

ˈəp-ˌkēp How to pronounce upkeep (audio)
Definition of upkeepnext
as in maintenance
the act or activity of keeping something in an existing and usually satisfactory condition the upkeep of the old place was costing a fortune

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 upkeep One part of the family might visit every summer, while others hardly come at all, but everyone is still responsible for upkeep. — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Artificial wildflowers for a softer, seasonal accent that skips the upkeep of fresh cuts. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026 These scratch-, scuff-, and microbe-resistant surfaces simplify cleaning and everyday upkeep. — Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026 Pears are easy-going trees that require minimal upkeep and can flourish without extensive pruning. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upkeep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upkeep
  1. maintenance
  2. preservation
  3. preserving
Noun
  • Contrary to popular belief, good skin care doesn’t require you to blow through your entire beauty maintenance budget.
    — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The investigation would evaluate NIPSCO’s vegetation management policies and right-of-way maintenance.
    — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of maintenance
Noun
  • Blumberg and preservation One might imagine that a man nearing 90 and who was a prominent leader in hospitality has grappled with the issue of historic preservation.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The concept of fertility preservation should not be a Hail Mary or a last-ditch effort.
    — Dr. Jaime Knopman, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of preservation
Noun
  • There are solutions for age verification that are both accurate and privacy preserving.
    — Annie Chestnut Tutor, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2025
Definition of preserving

Browse Nearby Words

up in the air
upkeep
upland
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Upkeep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upkeep. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All