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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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

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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

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Plus, keeping everyone in the know manages expectations, ramps up teamwork and ensures everyone is rowing in the same direction from the start. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 The Algerine kept looking but didn’t find any additional bodies. —Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
In summer, its outdoor Luna Cinema shows classics on a screen erected between the keep and the castle’s fabulously odd mansion. —Jamie Carter, Travel + Leisure, 20 Jan. 2025 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 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
  • To celebrate, shoppers can get $10 off any purchase with code SHOTS10.
    — Mike Snider, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Target's Easter Hours All Target locations are closing on Easter Sunday to give the day off to employees to celebrate with their families.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of celebrate
Verb
  • Last week, the Trump administration demanded Harvard change multiple policies — including those regarding protesting and diversity, equity and inclusion programs — in order to retain its federal funding.
    — Tara Suter, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
  • As fans returned, WrestleMania 37 in 2021 Night 1 started with a WWE Championship match won by Bobby Lashley, while WrestleMania 38 in 2022 Night 1 opened with The Usos retaining their SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of retain
Verb
  • However, after making season one, Gilroy and Luna both realized that their initial aim was too ambitious and likely required at least a decade of their lives to fulfill.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The tech executive hired several young engineers aged 19-24 to fulfill his directives at DOGE, which centered on eliminating positions Musk deemed to be unnecessary.
    — Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of fulfill
Verb
  • To make your clothes last longer, wash them less frequently, use cold water, wash inside out, air dry and store them properly.
    — Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Reporters may be asked to unlock phones, laptops, or social media accounts, which could lead to sensitive material being copied or stored.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of store
Verb
  • This substantial commitment reflects the scale of investment required to maintain competitive positioning in the rapidly evolving AI infrastructure market.
    — Maribel Lopez, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Illness prevented Howe from being in the dugout, but his team maintained its finely tuned pressing and relentless counter-pressing in his absence.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of maintain
Verb
  • As for recharging, Google could do better—the Pixel 9a manages just 23 W wired and 7.5 W wireless, and the flagship Pixels are only a little faster.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
  • However, the British actor has since managed to find some humor in the highly viral scene.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of manage
Verb
  • Boone was asked if Chisholm needs to find a better way to control his emotions.
    — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025
  • At the heart of the book is the recognition that almost all of the Sturm und Drang of the most destructive century in history has revolved around one place -- the Eurasian landmass -- and one issue: who controls it.
    — John Hillen, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of control
Verb
  • See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The Arkansas Senate on Wednesday night approved a bill that its supporters maintain would protect Arkansans from religious discrimination and its opponents counter targets LGBTQ+ people.
    — Josh Snyder, Arkansas Online, 10 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 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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