kept

Definition of keptnext
past tense of keep
1
2
3
4
as in stored
to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability I keep extra toothbrushes for unexpected overnight guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
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

6
7
8

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 La Familia kept drumming and chanting through the entire game, determined to help lift Messi and his teammates to victory. Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026 After a series of intricate passes, Reus found room and sent a shot toward goal, but Minnesota goalkeeper Drake Callender kept the initial shot out. Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026 And the welcomes kept coming out of her, compulsive and hopeful and for no one in particular. Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026 The Tigers’ ability to shoot and score kept them in games, but defensive lapses and depth issues, particularly in SEC play, limited their ceiling. Aaron Segal, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026 Orlando managed three shots on target in the first half, but the Angel City defense kept the Pride from truly threatening. Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026 As for what has kept her motivated all these years? Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026 Saturday’s win kept the Sabres in front of the Lightning in the Atlantic Division standings by two points. ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026 The Wizards kept things close throughout the second half, and the Warriors actually had to come back in the fourth quarter. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kept
Verb
  • As the Texas Rangers celebrated Opening Day, another issue drew attention off the field, causing backlash for the organization.
    Marissa Armas, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Easter is typically celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon, on or after the vernal, according to previous USA TODAY reporting, which can fall anywhere from March 22 to April 25.
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The City of Fort Collins says its drones are programmed to document their flight paths during every single flight, and the video from each flight is also recorded and retained.
    Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Head coach Sean Payton retained him by promoting him to offensive coordinator and, critically, handing him primary play-calling duties.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • But being attuned to our own needs and desires tends to leave us feeling more satisfied and fulfilled and less resentful and angry.
    Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 2 Apr. 2026
  • By the end of this year’s legislative session, the General Assembly in Annapolis fulfilled its constitutional obligation to pass a balanced budget.
    Jason Gallion, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The bottle was moved and properly stored during the inspection.
    Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Everything is stored in the cloud, not on personal devices.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • While primarily based in Los Angeles, Alec has maintained more visible ties to Michigan real estate, including a sizable lakefront home along Lake Michigan built in 2013.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2026
  • View this post on Instagram The comedian maintained his sense of humor following the crash.
    Riley Rourke, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Josh Naylor added a two-run single for the Mariners, who managed only four hits in the first nine innings before getting three in the 10th off new Angels reliever Brent Suter (0-1).
    CBS News, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • But the couple managed to try again.
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Forensic drug reports showed that about 98% of medetomidine-positive samples also contained fentanyl.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The vessel was missing but was later contained.
    Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.
    Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
  • With a superior code and decoder in hand, Cain, Xu, and Huang developed ways to pull off the intricate manipulations of the real qubits required to perform calculations, all while keeping them protected.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on kept

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