keep 1 of 2

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

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as in to store
to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability I keep extra toothbrushes for unexpected overnight guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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keep

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noun

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
The future of Aerosmith is extremely uncertain due to Steven Tyler’s injured larynx, but that isn’t stopping guitarist Joe Perry from keeping the band’s music alive on the road. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2025 And the ongoing speculation about further tax rises in the Autumn Budget will probably keep consumers in a cautious mood. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
Outlining The Men’s 100 Meter Final At USAs In the men’s final, Kenny Bednarek earned his keep with his first race under 9.8, winning in 9.79 seconds. Cory Mull, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025 Spotify has irrevocably devalued music and locked people in for keeps while its CEO now slings money at defense contractors like a kid throwing money at Pokémon cards. Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for keep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep
Verb
  • The company previously offered the deal in March and April to celebrate the company’s 85th birthday.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Plus, there will be a dance floor to give neighbors a space to celebrate, said Van Galen.
    Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Sellers should retain receipts, confirmations, or screenshots for all transactions in case the IRS requests proof.
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • With the December transfer portal window already in full force, Webb knew time was of the essence for Vick to build — and retain — a roster.
    Grace Raynor, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Media publicity fulfills several business purposes apart from visibility: Building Credibility: Being featured in a top publication can establish credibility with customers and foster loyalty.
    Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Federal Reserve governors are expected to fulfill 14-year terms.
    Curtis Bunn, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The agency responsible for building, maintaining, and storing America's nuclear weapons faces an internal review of its costly effort to reestablish mass production of nuclear warhead cores.
    Davis Winkie, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
  • According to The Telegraph bodies should be kept in a clean and clinical environment, stored between approximately 39 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Turn down heat in Dutch oven to medium-low to maintain a simmer; cover with a lid (leaving a crack for steam), and cook until potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
    John T. Edge, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Regardless, the new system is easier to maintain because of its inherent design.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The fire crew has managed to contain none of the blaze by Friday evening.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Antihistamines can ease itching, while ibuprofen or acetaminophen help manage pain.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Mark Rose, a former National Park Service employee, said fire service officials weren't realistic about their ability to control the fire and then tried to cover themselves.
    Stephanie Murray, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • These capabilities support real-time resource scaling while controlling expenses, making complex technology easier to use and more accessible for teams of all sizes.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2025
  • The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

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