KEEPING Synonyms: 341 Similar and Opposite Words

keeping 1 of 2

noun

ˈkē-piŋ

Definition of keeping

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

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Relevance

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in adherence

the following of a custom, rule, or law the keeping of religious laws and traditions

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as in shape

a state of being or fitness the estate hasn't been in good keeping since the owner suffered financial reverses

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keeping

2 of 2

verb

present participle of keep

as in celebrating

to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony keep the Sabbath by not working

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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

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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

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as in storing

to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability I keep extra toothbrushes for unexpected overnight guests

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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

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as in managing

to look after and make decisions about enlisted a relative to keep the store while she was away

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as in controlling

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) try to keep your composure no matter what happens

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as in protecting

to drive danger or attack away from may God bless and keep you

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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

Noun

Khan said the company has since given their franchise partners training on record-keeping and hired another accountant based in Minneapolis. — Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 30 July 2026 Removal is usually requested when heirs claim there have been long delays, poor communication, bad record-keeping, conflicts of interest, failure to follow court orders, or other actions that could harm the estate. — Naomi Cahn, The Conversation, 29 July 2026

Verb

Johnston suggested the university could do better about proactively keeping residents informed of upcoming building projects and events that might be disruptive. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Aug. 2026 Flood watches also remained in effect in Iowa, Kentucky and North Carolina, where showers and storms are possible on Thursday, keeping the threat of more flooding in place. — Michelle Simmons, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for keeping

Recent Examples of Synonyms for keeping

Noun

One person was taken into custody, and police are searching for a second suspect.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Tyler Boebert, 21, was taken into custody and later released on $10,000 bond, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office said.

— Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of custody

Noun

On Thursday, Clancy loudly sobbed, shuddered and covered her face with her hands as a medical examiner testified about Callan’s autopsy.

— Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Those workers understand what a white-collar reader mostly does not, which is that the moment your knowledge leaves your hands is the moment your leverage leaves with it.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of hands

Noun

In the future, the group will consider publishing public grades for every prediction market company based on their adherence to a code of conduct.

— Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Enjoyment matters here, because experts stress adherence over finding a perfect workout.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of adherence

Noun

Blending documentary and fictional elements, directors Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw pay homage to the remarkable and charming people whose zest for life shapes and preserves this unique region and its centuries-old culture.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
They were asked to press high, in the first half particularly, leaving a 4-2-4 shape with little midfield cover.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of shape

Verb

Even when more than half the team was celebrating Brenden Aaronson’s equaliser with him, Trafford was taking that opportunity to pass on feedback to Bornauw and Ao Tanaka.

— Beren Cross, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Pokemon costumes With Pokemon celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, Pikachu, Ash and other favorite characters make this nostalgic theme especially timely.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of celebrating

Verb

Protecting the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is essential to ensuring America can continue recruiting and retaining the public servants our communities depend on.

— Verna L. Williams, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
For now, sister station KOLA is retaining its air staff; KOLA is one of the most successful stations in the IE.

— Richard Wagoner, Daily News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of retaining

Verb

Denise has written a novel in secret, about a frustrated housewife itching to leave her husband and kids for a rich, fulfilling life in New York.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026
What excites me the most is being able to jump in and out of genres — that’s been the fulfilling part of my career.

— Devon Ivie, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of fulfilling

Verb

Decades later, the government was still buying surplus cheese and storing it in vast underground caves in Missouri, Wisconsin, and Kansas, warehouses cool enough to hold the cheese for years without spoiling.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
By that decade, governments were storing personal information on computers for purposes like keeping track of tax payments and providing benefits to veterans.

— Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of storing

Cite this Entry

Style

“Keeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keeping. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of keeping

noun

verb

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