keep from

verb

kept from; keeping from; keeps from
1
: to not do or experience (something)
She found it hard to keep from laughing.
It's difficult to keep from feeling worried about this situation.
It was hard to keep from confusing the twins.
2
: to prevent or stop (someone or something) from doing or experiencing (something)
She's been trying to keep herself from eating too much candy.
An umbrella will keep you from getting wet.
I don't want to keep you from (doing) your work.
3
: to not tell (something) to (someone)
What information are you keeping from me?
They think the government is keeping the truth from us.

Examples of keep from in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
More about Richard Glossip's case Glossip is accused of having his boss, Barry Van Treese, an Oklahoma City motel owner, killed in 1997 to keep from being fired for embezzlement. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 15 May 2026 Morris fell on top of her, knees spread to keep from squashing Dinah’s chest and maybe killing her. Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026 During Movie Night—when footage from the season is played to reveal any secrets Islanders have managed to keep from each other in the tiny property where they're filmed 24-hours a day—Rob got a moment of catharsis with his ex. Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026 The total number of relatives kept from the evening event at Raleigh's William Neal Reynolds Coliseum was in the hundreds, according to WTVD and WZFX. Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for keep from

Cite this Entry

“Keep from.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keep%20from. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on keep from

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster