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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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
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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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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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as in to avoid
to resist the temptation of
try to keep from eating all the chocolate in one day!
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as in to stick (to or with)
to give steadfast support to
always keeps to his political positions, even when they are unpopular
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keep to
5 of 5phrase
as in obey
to act according to the commands of
Let's keep to the original plan, shall we?
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of keep
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
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
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
Cite this Entry
“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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