keep back
phrasal verb
kept back; keeping back; keeps back
: to not go near something
The police asked the spectators to keep back.
The guide told us to keep back from the edge of the cliff.
Examples of keep back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
He’s kept back from the throne by Linkin Park, whose comeback set From Zero is still running the show on the list of the bestselling collections in those styles.
—
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
The cordoning blocked the entrance from 79th Drive, keeping back people Connie and Keith Rohrman hoped would spend cash on their two-day yard sale at their West Mitchell Drive home.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 29 Nov. 2024
Police had to step in, some officers on horseback, to keep back the crowd of several dozen, some wielding shovels and poles.
—Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2024
Police had to step in, with some officers on horseback, to keep back the crowd of several dozens who hurled mud and wielded shovels and poles threateningly.
—Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
As for parking, that almost requires Beyoncé levels of security to keep back the curious, and expect any coffee stop to involve at least 15 minutes of answering questions.
—Howard Walker, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2024
Meanwhile, a bodysuit is likely a better bet for those seeking tummy control and keeping back fat in check.
—Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 30 July 2024
With a 3-1 lead going into the back half of the game, the American women are showing force by trying to keep back the German team.
—NBC News, 29 July 2024
Authorities said Blaylock’s family members had to be kept back from officers as firefighters worked to retrieve his body.
—David Chiu, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024
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Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
The cordoning blocked the entrance from 79th Drive, keeping back people Connie and Keith Rohrman hoped would spend cash on their two-day yard sale at their West Mitchell Drive home.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 29 Nov. 2024
Police had to step in, some officers on horseback, to keep back the crowd of several dozen, some wielding shovels and poles.
—Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2024
Police had to step in, with some officers on horseback, to keep back the crowd of several dozens who hurled mud and wielded shovels and poles threateningly.
—Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
As for parking, that almost requires Beyoncé levels of security to keep back the curious, and expect any coffee stop to involve at least 15 minutes of answering questions.
—Howard Walker, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2024
Meanwhile, a bodysuit is likely a better bet for those seeking tummy control and keeping back fat in check.
—Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 30 July 2024
With a 3-1 lead going into the back half of the game, the American women are showing force by trying to keep back the German team.
—NBC News, 29 July 2024
Authorities said Blaylock’s family members had to be kept back from officers as firefighters worked to retrieve his body.
—David Chiu, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024
Dictionary Entries Near keep back
Cite this Entry
“Keep back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keep%20back. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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