1
as in custody
responsibility for the safety and well-being of someone or something
put the house keys into a neighbor's secure keeping while they were on vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in hands
the fact or state of having (something) at one's disposal
my aunt has all of our family's old photographs in her keeping
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in adherence
the following of a custom, rule, or law
the keeping of religious laws and traditions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in shape
a state of being or fitness
the estate hasn't been in good keeping since the owner suffered financial reverses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in celebrating
to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony
keep the Sabbath by not working
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in retaining
to continue to have in one's possession or power
the money is yours to keep keep my secret and don't tell it to anyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fulfilling
to do what is required by the terms of
make sure you keep your promise to help out at the homeless shelter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in storing
to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability
I keep extra toothbrushes for unexpected overnight guests
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in supporting
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
as in managing
to look after and make decisions about
enlisted a relative to keep the store while she was away
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in controlling
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
try to keep your composure no matter what happens
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in protecting
to drive danger or attack away from
may God bless and keep you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 keeping
Tony Leopardo, The Mercury News, 2 Feb. 2025
Even if this weekend’s storms, which are predicted to be mild, bring an inch of rain, January would be the fifth driest since record keeping began in 1896, Anderson said.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2025
Co-owners Will Thompson and Chef Carey Hynes turned their outdoor pandemic pop-up in Little River into a full-time reality, keeping the gorgeous space for dining under the giant banyan tree but adding a retro-Florida indoor dining room as well.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for keeping
Noun
Safety starts with blind spot monitors, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist.
—Tony Leopardo, The Mercury News, 2 Feb. 2025
Even if this weekend’s storms, which are predicted to be mild, bring an inch of rain, January would be the fifth driest since record keeping began in 1896, Anderson said.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
While Empower Field has 8,200 club seats and 144 luxury suites, a new Broncos stadium would likely have more seats in both categories while keeping the capacity around the current 76,125 mark.
—Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2025
Co-owners Will Thompson and Chef Carey Hynes turned their outdoor pandemic pop-up in Little River into a full-time reality, keeping the gorgeous space for dining under the giant banyan tree but adding a retro-Florida indoor dining room as well.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for keeping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keeping
Noun
-
Texts released in a child custody case in New York revealed that Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, is deeply worried about an attempt on his life and described himself as the second-most-likely assassination target after the president.—
Sean O'Driscoll,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
-
His death marks the second fatality in Department of Correction custody this year.—
Elizabeth Keogh,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
This encourages adherence to your management practices and strengthens brand trust.—
Richard Lindhorn,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
-
The National Science Foundation — an independent federal agency that funds scientific research around the globe — has fired 168 probationary employees in adherence to orders from the White House, according to an agency spokesperson.—
Kate Gibson,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
And there only so many shuttered plants in the U.S. in good enough shape to potentially be restarted.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
23 Feb. 2025
-
The Nuggets are in excellent shape, Denver is 9-1 in its last 10 games and is currently on a nine-game win streak.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Suki Waterhouse is celebrating her birthday with a bump!—
Clare Fisher,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Kidman, Winslet, and Jolie are all previous Globes winners, while Swinton has been nominated a total of five times, and both Torres and Anderson are celebrating their first nominations.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
More than half of Wall Street analysts maintain a hold rating on the stock, with nearly a third retaining a sell or underweight rating, according to FactSet.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
30 Dec. 2024
-
The proposals call out warnings around discriminatory lawsuits like that of Starbucks, retaining a chief diversity officer position, and citing concern over Costco's unwavering commitment to equity.—
Simone E. Morris,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Women Genuinely Enjoy Their Own Company Society tends to view coupled individuals as happier and more fulfilled than single people, even when single people have meaningful relationships and genuinely fulfilling lives.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Ultimately, Deadpool & Wolverine provides a fulfilling and happy goodbye to all those pieces.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The design is intended to spur students to leave their rooms and connect with their fellow students, supporting physical and mental health.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Carter asked Davis to come out of retirement—again—to help lead the process of enacting the speed limit into law and supporting its nationwide promotion.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The administrative burden of managing multiple systems is immense.—
Joshua Siler,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The ability to quickly pivot and adjust plans based on unforeseen circumstances, like rerouting lines or managing permitting delays, is essential to success.—
Katherine Latham,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Keeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keeping. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share