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Dictionary.com
Definitions

keep out

VERB
bar
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ban deny disallow discourage eliminate enjoin exclude forbid hinder limit outlaw preclude prevent refuse reject restrain rule out segregate stop suspend
STRONG
boycott circumvent condemn debar discountenance except exile frustrate interdict interfere obstruct ostracize override
WEAK
freeze out shut out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accept add admit advance aid allow approve assist choose continue encourage free go grant help include keep let go permit ratify release sanction welcome
STRONG
clear support
WEAK
advocate loosen open unfasten
VERB
exclude
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ban bar block boycott eliminate ignore omit ostracize preclude prevent prohibit refuse reject remove rule out suspend
STRONG
bate blackball blacklist bounce debar disallow eject embargo evict except interdict obviate occlude oust proscribe repudiate sideline veto
WEAK
close out count out drive out estop force out get rid of leave out lock out pass over put out refuse admittance set aside shut out shut the door on throw out ward off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accept add allow approve choose include keep let go open permit ratify sanction support welcome
STRONG
admit take in
WEAK
incorporate
VERB
hold
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrest carry detain enjoy have imprison keep maintain occupy own seize take
STRONG
adhere bind catch check cherish clasp cleave clench clinch cling clutch confine contain cradle embrace enclose fondle grip handle hug nourish palm possess press restrain retain secure squeeze stick trammel vise wield withhold wring
WEAK
bottle up cork up freeze to hang on keep close lock up not let go put a lock on stay put
Antonyms
STRONGEST
fail free give ignore lack let go liberate lose need neglect offer reject release want
STRONG
abandon aid allow assist exclude help loose loosen miss permit unfasten untie
WEAK
cancel cease desert disbelieve drop forsake halt quit stop
VERB
hold back
Synonyms
WEAK
bit bridle check control curb defer delay deny forbear hold down hold in hold off inhibit keep keep back postpone prevent put off refrain refuse restrain stop suppress withhold
VERB
hold back/hold off
Synonyms
WEAK
bit bridle check control curb defer delay deny forbear hold down hold in inhibit keep keep back postpone prevent put off refrain refuse restrain stop suppress withhold
Antonyms
WEAK
let go reveal
VERB
reserve
Synonyms
STRONGEST
defer hoard maintain preserve retain save set aside stockpile withhold
STRONG
conserve delay duck have hold plant possess postpone squirrel stash store
WEAK
keep back lay up put away put by put off squirrel away store up stow away
Antonyms
STRONGEST
hurt let go release spend squander throw away waste
STRONG
expedite use
WEAK
distribute give offer
VERB
shut off/shut out
Synonyms
WEAK
bar beleaguer block out blockade close conceal cover debar discontinue evict fence off hide lock out mask obstruct ostracize refuse seclude shroud veil
Antonyms
WEAK
include welcome
VERB
shut out
Synonyms
WEAK
bar beleaguer block out blockade close conceal cover debar discontinue evict fence off hide lock out mask obstruct ostracize refuse screen seclude shroud shut off veil

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“People would love to make this a kind of us versus them, you know, affluent businesspeople trying to keep out workers,” said Larry Kamer, a communications consultant who helped organize the opposition.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Nick Pope made an excellent save to keep out Ousmane Dembele's spot-kick, but PSG soon took the lead through Vitinha's low strike from the edge of the box.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

"So while he will still be pursuing his quest against Associated Newspapers, I think he will keep out of the limelight," she adds.

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2026

If an employee wasn’t worth fighting to keep, out they went.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 6, 2025

David Greybeard, for example, was a calm chimp who liked to keep out of trouble.

From "My Life with the Chimpanzees" by Jane Goodall

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.