keep 1 of 2

Definition of keepnext
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

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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
If plans shift, keep your optimism grounded by checking the logistics carefully. Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026 Mexico has also been solid on defense, keeping three clean sheets while scoring six goals. Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Noun
Summer is when this kind of product earns its keep, and Florida’s long warm season makes the case even stronger. Ascend Agency, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2026 While the two keep drinking and wait for a rare lunar event, old grievances, outrageous escapades, and macho rivalries explode to the surface. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for keep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep
Verb
  • On Tuesday, more than a million fans took to the streets to celebrate Mexico’s advancement to the World Cup’s round of 16, a feat the national team hadn’t achieved since 1986, and with each victory, the human tide grows.
    Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • As America begins to celebrate its 250th birthday on Saturday, there are nearly 800,000 customers without power as outages are reported across multiple states.
    Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • The Heat began Tuesday by retaining three-point shooting forward Simone Fontecchio in free agency, and then continued to address its need for outside shooting when league-wide free agent negotiations were permitted to begin Tuesday night.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
  • Buildings with no air conditioning will heat up and retain the heat.
    Bill Kelly, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • More than half of Gen Zers said doing work that was personally fulfilling was within their top three priorities, and 25% ranked helping and caring for others up top, as well.
    Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
  • The commission just fulfilled one of its primary duties, forwarding to Mayor Barbara Lee a shortlist of finalists to be considered for the job of the Oakland Police Department’s next permanent chief.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • It is stored in an inactive form in cells such as the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and immune system—acting as the body’s reserve bank, indicating how much iron is available for future use.
    Tatiana Dias, Vogue, 30 June 2026
  • That badge allowed former surfer Conan Hayes, who was acquainted with election-denier and MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, to enter the secure room where the machines were stored and take images of the voting machines and associated data.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Those resources include avenues to help seniors maintain regular exercise, ongoing positive social connections, appropriate living situations, transportation and more.
    Rachel Brown Kirkland, AJC.com, 2 July 2026
  • The business in question is stealing Georgia’s nightclub idea, though Charlie maintains that’s not what’s happening because his club won’t have any bowling.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • The situation is pressing, but Coleman still manages to make a connection.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026
  • The platform has consistently managed volume over $1 billion daily since the soccer tournament began on June 11.
    Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • Russia meanwhile has claimed that its forces now control the important town of Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • The plant also can be controlled by applying a nonselective herbicide, but that will not save digging.
    Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • In the final months of pregnancy, the testicles descend through a passage called the inguinal canal to land in the scrotum, the pouch that protects them for the rest of a man’s life.
    Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
  • This shampoo and conditioner are designed to strengthen and protect hair health while reducing frizz and split ends.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Keep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keep. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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