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Definitions

keep

[keep] / kip /
VERB
hold, maintain
Synonyms
STRONGEST
carry conduct control enjoy have manage place preserve put retain save store
STRONG
accumulate amass cache conserve deposit detain direct garner grasp grip heap own pile possess reserve season stack stock withhold
WEAK
care for deal in hold back put up trade in
Antonyms
STRONGEST
displace fail hurt let go lose remove squander want waste
STRONG
disperse dispossess dissipate divide neglect release scatter separate spend use up
WEAK
abandon consume give give up hand over ignore let happen
VERB
tend; provide for
Synonyms
STRONGEST
conduct continue maintain manage operate protect run support sustain
STRONG
administer attend board command defend direct endure feed foster guard mind nourish nurture ordain provision safeguard shelter shield subsidize victual
WEAK
care for carry on look after minister to watch over
Antonyms
STRONGEST
neglect
STRONG
abandon deprive disregard endanger forget ignore mismanage starve
WEAK
disperse give give up let happen
VERB
prevent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
block check control delay limit stop
STRONG
arrest avert constrain curb detain deter hamper hamstring hinder impede inhibit obstruct restrain retard shackle stall withhold
WEAK
hold back
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance allow expedite let happen
STRONG
aid assist encourage facilitate free further help permit promote push release support
WEAK
give up ignore let happen
VERB
commemorate; pay attention to
Synonyms
STRONGEST
hold perform
STRONG
bless celebrate consecrate fulfill honor laud obey observe praise regard respect ritualize sanctify solemnize
WEAK
adhere to comply with
Antonyms
STRONG
condemn denounce dishonor disregard disrespect forget ignore miss neglect overlook reproach
WEAK
abandon

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.

Because she deserves to be free of his secrets: Ones she has been forced to keep out of fear of him, but also of us.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

"But we have the military capability we need to keep Britain safe from any kind of attacks, whether it's on our soil or from abroad. We are ready to defend the country, whatever the threat."

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

“This would mark only a marginal improvement from the recent string of hot PCE inflation prints and should keep the Fed firmly on hold in the near-term,” writes Stephen Juneau, U.S. economist at BofA Securities.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

They both want to virtue-signal that they’re in compliance with a near-universal, popular effort to keep the bomb from spreading.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Heat rises in me, spreading like fire, and I keep my eyes trained on my tiles.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Vocabulary lists containing keep

"Four Skinny Trees"

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