1
as in to celebrate
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 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in to manage
to look after and make decisions about
enlisted a relative to keep the store while she was away
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
may God bless and keep you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 keep
Tyler Small, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
That’s what keeps the peace in the Valley of California.
—Demetrius Patterson, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2025
David A. Deptula, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
That’s why the most important thing for an actor is everything should be played for keeps.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for keep
Verb
Dixon scored 25 of his 32 points in the second half after a slow offensive start, which sparked a double-digit comeback, thus showing what Dixon has to do night in and night out to keep his team alive in games.
—Tyler Small, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
That’s what keeps the peace in the Valley of California.
—Demetrius Patterson, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are playing for keeps and America’s existential interests may soon be on the line.
—David A. Deptula, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
That’s why the most important thing for an actor is everything should be played for keeps.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for keep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep
Verb
-
Still, cricket-mad Pakistan has reason to celebrate.—
Betsy Joles,
NPR,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Michael Buckner—Penske Media/Getty Images Adrien Brody and Halle Berry reenact their notorious Oscars kiss At the 2003 Oscars, Adrien Brody controversially celebrated his Best Actor win for The Pianist by planting a surprise smooch on presenter Halle Berry onstage.—
Eliana Dockterman,
TIME,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
That contest went the 12-round distance, with Herring retaining his belt.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The filing stated that almost 5,800 USAID awards for future work, and approximately 4,100 distributed through the State Department, will be terminated, while around 500 USAID awards and roughly 2,700 State Department awards will be retained.—
MaryAlice Parks,
ABC News,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The service will aim to fulfill the original mission of Fubo.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Running a bed and breakfast fulfills a long-time dream of hers.—
Jennifer Liu,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Let your schedule and meal plan be your guide to select the best way to store radishes.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Feb. 2025
-
At one point, 36 pounds of gold, purchased as an investment, was being stored on the grounds of Skyview Memorial.—
Richard Halstead,
The Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Though brands like Frame are preparing for a skinny jean comeback, Candiani anticipates wide-leg and baggy jeans to maintain their place as the most in-demand fits.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Feb. 2025
-
The Gordons have been left deeply screwed up by their deceased father — not just callous and clueless like all the ultra-rich, but unable to maintain healthy relationships with either partners or one another.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Netanyahu, for his part, managed to survive beyond both of those presidencies and is still very much on the political scene today.—
Tevi Troy,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
7 Mar. 2025
-
China's growing partnership with Russia and Iran also strengthens their joint opposition to U.S. influence, complicating Washington's efforts to manage global security threats.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Use extreme caution with any open flames since any wildfires that get started will have potential to spread rapidly and be very difficult or impossible to control.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Access to such information is tightly controlled, said Jeffrey Vagle, a law professor and cybersecurity expert at Georgia State University who has in the past worked on classified federal technology projects.—
DAVID KLEPPER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
arkansasonline.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.—
Chris Malone Mendez,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Iran’s nuclear facilities are now exposed to attack, after Israel destroyed almost all of the air defenses protecting them in October.—
David E. Sanger,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share