keep down

verb

kept down; keeping down; keeps down

transitive verb

1

: to keep in control

keep expenses down

2

: to prevent from growing, advancing, or succeeding

Examples of keep down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Though evil is running rampant, Thundarr refuses to be kept down, battling back with the help of the sorceress Ariel and Ookla the Mok, a Wookie-like creature forced into the series by ABC over Gerber’s objections. —Will Harris, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025

Their deaths were faked so they could be kept down here and experimented on forever. —Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025

Advertisement In order to get the bill passed, some Republicans broke their promises not to cut Medicaid, other Republicans reneged on pledges to keep down the national debt. —Brian Bennett, Time, 3 July 2025

Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors The Schwartz couldn't be kept down. —Michileen Martin, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for keep down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown