keep 1 of 2

verb

ˈkēp How to pronounce keep (audio)
Definition of keepnext
1
as in to celebrate
to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony keep the Sabbath by not working

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2
as in to retain
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 to fulfill
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to store
to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability I keep extra toothbrushes for unexpected overnight guests

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5
as in to maintain
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 to manage
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 to control
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 to protect
to drive danger or attack away from may God bless and keep you

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

keep

2 of 2

noun

as in preserving
the act or activity of keeping something in an existing and usually satisfactory condition the keep of the stable is mainly left to the two equine-loving daughters

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word keep different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of keep are celebrate, commemorate, and observe. While all these words mean "to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed," keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating.

kept the Sabbath by refraining from work

Where would celebrate be a reasonable alternative to keep?

While in some cases nearly identical to keep, celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.

traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner

When might commemorate be a better fit than keep?

In some situations, the words commemorate and keep are roughly equivalent. However, commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event.

commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths

When is it sensible to use observe instead of keep?

Although the words observe and keep have much in common, observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.

not all holidays are observed nationally

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 keep
Verb
The aim is to keep winning in the FA Cup, too, with a trip to Fulham next Saturday standing in the way of a semi-final at Wembley. — Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025 There’s also what traditions and heirlooms can do to keep people together. — Graham Womack, Sacramento Bee, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
Our editors and contributors have tested several kinds of platform beds over the years, and have some thoughts on what’s for keeps, and what squeaks enough to do without. — Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 30 Jan. 2025 It’s all set against the stunning backdrop of the original keep, built in the late 11th century by Norman invaders on top of a third-century Roman fort. — Jamie Carter, Travel + Leisure, 20 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for keep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep
  1. celebrate
  2. retain
  3. fulfill
  4. store
  5. maintain
  6. manage
  7. control
  8. protect
Verb
  • One Step Back Game Informer celebrated their return by releasing their Game of the Year awards, celebrating the excellent gaming achievements of 2024, albeit a bit late.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The group's employees even pay out-of-pocket for coffee and sugar used in its coffee breaks, and have been doing so since 1973, according to a video celebrating its anniversary last year.
    — Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of celebrate
Verb
  • Lower yields give more concentration, while the higher elevation, averaging around 500 feet, retains high acidity.
    — Cathrine Todd, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • When Lampard was sacked 18 months later, replacement Tuchel insisted that Barry be retained after hearing about his work.
    — Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of retain
Verb
  • But rather than a breakdown in the constitutional order, this jostling fulfills the Framers’ design for the separation of powers, which encourages conflict between the branches of government.
    — Robert J. Delahunty, National Review, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Comerica's forecast assumes that the DOGE cutbacks and revenues from tariffs are repurposed to partially pay for tax cuts next year: The extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and probably some incremental cuts to fulfill campaign promises and juice the stock market, too.
    — Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of fulfill
Verb
  • Wise minds inside any presidential administration would quickly sell every barrel of oil presently stored in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
    — John Tamny, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Most of that ends up in the Wayback Machine, while the rest is digitized analog media — books, television, radio, academic papers — scanned and stored on servers.
    — Emma Bowman, NPR, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of store
Verb
  • Julie Butner, president and CEO of Tarrant Area Food Bank, said the organization has been able to maintain balanced supply and distribution through the local food purchase agreement.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Viney recounted the stories of Ukrainian refugee students who, through the academy, were able to maintain educational continuity despite the trauma and disruption of displacement.
    — Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of maintain
Verb
  • However, in dipping their toes into the multiverse, the McManus Brothers largely manage to get the best of two worlds, delivering a strong genre entry with the bones of a tender indie about trauma.
    — Stephen Saito, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The dispatchers managed to keep the caller and her brother calm while directing firefighters to a streetcorner that had easy access to the wooded area for one fire company to walk in through.
    — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of manage
Verb
  • Emotions Are a Competitive Advantage in Finance Understanding that emotions influence financial behavior means that controlling your emotional state can become a strategic advantage.
    — Shane Enete, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of control
Verb
  • Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
    — Tony East, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • In general, foods that are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties are best at protecting your skin from oxidative damage.
    — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of protect

Phrases Containing keep

Browse Nearby Words

keens
keep
keep an eye on
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Cite this Entry

“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on keep

Nglish: Translation of keep for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about keep

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