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

This year, even Telluride’s usually self-contained movie bubble couldn’t keep out the existential anxieties surrounding AI.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026

Across the French capital, where few homes have air conditioning, desperate locals had taped foil survival blankets over their windows, hoping to keep out the fierce sun.

From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026

Horton, the country’s largest home builder, faces litigation involving thousands of Louisiana homeowners who say shoddy building practices failed to keep out moisture, leading to widespread mold growth in their homes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 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

She turns a corner and drives into a market that makes me roll up the window to keep out the stink of dead fish.

From "Hurricane Child" by Kheryn Callender

keep out

Example Sentences

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Related Words