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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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keep

2 of 2

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

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
Eating every 3 hours will help to keep your child’s blood sugar steady and also decrease overeating at meal times. Dr. Sarah Kinsella, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026 In the last two minutes of the second, Wagler scored twice for the Illini to keep it a close game, but UConn managed to maintain a 9-point lead. CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
Large contributions buy influence over politicians and their votes, which is why the super-rich keep getting richer while so many ordinary people struggle. Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026 Several gardening experts have weighed in on exactly which tools earn their keep and which ones collect dust in the shed. Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for keep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keep
Verb
  • Even when there is little to celebrate in a world marked by barbarity, these events invite us to be together and, briefly, to look, feel, admire, and even disagree within a temporary gathering of images and spaces.
    Raphael Fonseca, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The project also comes at a special time, as Davis celebrates 50 years of the Davis Farmers Market.
    Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • To forecast what comes next, a system must retain traces of what came before—but not too much.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The joint campaign has focused intensely on destroying and degrading Iran's missile defenses, but Tehran has retained the capability to hit back across the region.
    Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Sachs said additional data about Idahoans would likely have to be collected to fulfill the requirements.
    Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The once-largest navy in the world had to borrow a warship from Germany to fulfill its NATO obligations to patrol the North Atlantic.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The red mesh sack, of the kind typically used to store oranges or onions, is stamped with her name, immigration number and date of deportation.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
  • After years of sustained demand, the snack returned to store shelves in 2020.
    Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Eligibility for the state’s Medicaid expansion already maintains a yearly income cap for an individual at approximately $22,000.
    Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The Observer maintains full editorial control of its journalism.
    Ryan Oehrli April 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • And across these two games, England managed just one goal, when Ben White tapped in on Friday.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Officials state the move will place leadership closer to the Western lands the agency manages and improve its mission.
    Terry Collins, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Organic pesticides can still have environmental impacts because they are designed to control living organisms.
    Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
  • But the website isn’t full of articles about how the earth is flat or how aliens are controlling our government.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • To protect yourself, property owners can sign up for notifications about any new documents filed for their property in the city's Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS).
    Tim McNicholas, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Go to the Strait and just take it, protect it.
    James Powel, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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