kept

Definition of keptnext
past tense of keep
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as in stored
to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability I keep extra toothbrushes for unexpected overnight guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in maintained
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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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 kept Pape Matar Sarr and Xavi Simons picked up the ball in dangerous areas, Dominic Solanke dragged Harry Maguire out of position, and Destiny Udogie kept flashing crosses into the box. Jay Harris, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026 The Chinese coffee company continued to operate many of its stores — and kept its name and logo. Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026 Schweit said Braun was thrown in the trunk of a car and later kept chained in a snowmobile trailer. Chris Kenning, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026 The uncertainty of the day led many businesses to close and kept many Haitians off the streets. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026 But despite those more slippery conditions, the shoe’s mud-ready tread kept me feeling stable. Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 7 Feb. 2026 But the Italian kept gaining ground and, perhaps boosted by the loud support from her countrymen in the seats, surged on the final lap, arms swinging behind her. Howard Fendrich, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026 All calls will be kept confidential. Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026 The two kept a low profile as a couple until they were thrust into the limelight during the 2024 presidential election cycle. Lori A Bashian , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kept
Verb
  • Though the holiday’s origins trace back to ancient China, it’s now celebrated across East and Southeast Asia and abroad.
    Phoebe Fry, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Feb. 2026
  • It’s now led to one major withdrawal from Berlin, a typically highly political festival, with news that celebrated Indian author Arundhati Roy has pulled out.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The building’s original Portland stone facade was retained, while the interior has been updated with contemporary codes, with concrete flooring, aluminum and glass vitrines, and stainless steel perimeter wrapping the space.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Only the donor 718's chassis and some electronics are retained in the conversion.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Without a next generation in line, who will take care of these childless Americans, ensure their dying wishes are fulfilled and oversee where their assets will go after death?
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Jordan Davis fulfilled his potential in 2025 and is on track to join Carter on an advanced payroll.
    Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Paying a premium subscription of $10 to $20 a month means videos can be stored and accessed later.
    Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Housemade samosas were not marked with ingredients or allergen information, and roasted barley was stored in a Sterilite tub, which is not a food-safe container.
    Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Despite the complexity of multiple partners, De la Rosa maintained his creative vision.
    Callum McLennan, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
  • While standard chemical leaching (without microbes) performed worse in microgravity than on Earth, the microbes maintained consistent extraction levels regardless of gravity.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The court filings have managed to make a public spectacle out of the private communications of Taylor Swift, Matt Damon, Sony Motion Picture Group CEO Tom Rothman, WME agent Warren Zavala — among others.
    Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
  • To date, astronomers have managed to detect about 300 such mergers via their associated crescendos of gravitational waves.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The best-selling book contained several bombshell revelations, many of which were related to Spears’ controversial conservatorship, which finally ended in 2021.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Fungi fossils preserved in the chert contained compounds from the breakdown of chitin and glucan, key structural molecules in fungi.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Mark Kelly’s military retiree status was important The Pentagon’s defense centered around the notion that its actions didn’t violate Kelly’s free speech rights because his speech wasn’t protected.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The front office is motivated to hold onto a first-round pick in this year’s draft that is top-eight protected.
    Mark Anderson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Kept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kept. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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