Definitions

keep out

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bar v.
exclude v.
hold v.
hold back v.
hold back/hold off v.
reserve v.
shut off/shut out v.
shut out v.

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.

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keep out

An AI that can probe for weaknesses on its own, analysts said, is a different kind of threat than a foreign website or a social-media post—one a wall can’t keep out.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

Lukas Hornicek: Made saves to keep out Tel, Robertson and van Hecke's efforts when Newcastle were under pressure in the first half.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

Sanitation workers were cleaning the area, cutting down trees, and erecting a new fence and lock to keep out trespassers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

This was the one effort that Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who set a World Cup final record for saves, couldn’t keep out.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026

The red light filled the hut, encasing all of them in its warmth, and she tucked her face into the crook of her elbow to keep out the searing brightness.

From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack

keep out

Example Sentences

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