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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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

For safe-keeping, the flag is displayed in very low light, giving the chamber a sacred feel, like a cathedral crypt. — Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 24 Sep. 2026 Below, members of Forbes Technology Council identify workloads companies may want to reconsider moving—or keeping—in the public cloud and explain why another environment may sometimes make more sense. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Verb

Donaldson led the Democratic Unionist Party, the biggest party in favor of keeping Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom, from 2021 until 2024. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 Cold air advection will continue through the day, keeping afternoon temperatures much lower than earlier this week. — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for keeping

Recent Examples of Synonyms for keeping

Noun

Muñoz was put in handcuffs in his pajamas and taken into federal custody downtown.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
In a statement released by Acton's campaign, her brother, Philip Stearns, said the two were removed from their mother Donna Arthur's custody as children after their stepfather, Arthur's husband, was indicted for raping Acton as a child.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of custody

Noun

But the power this concentrates in the hands of one corporation and person – SpaceX and Musk – has raised alarm bells.

— Gerard Toal, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026
Mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese and blue cheese in a bowl with gloved hands or in a food processor until blended.

— Candy Hom, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of hands

Noun

The humidity-resistant, child-resistant container can be composted or recycled, reducing plastic use by up to 71%; pharmacies can also brand the tube or print adherence instructions directly on it.

— Lauryn Higgins, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Morning sessions align with the body’s natural cortisol peak, and people who exercise early tend to finish before the day’s demands get in the way, which tends to help adherence.

— Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of adherence

Noun

The wide-leg pants keep things relaxed, and the ruched waist on the knit top adds shape and makes the whole look feel more polished than a standard sweatshirt set.

— Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2026
Part of its purpose, from the beginning, was not only to deliver new facts but to interpret ragged events for a nervous audience of relatively prosperous, largely white viewers who shared Wallace’s concern about the shape and tenor of the future.

— Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of shape

Verb

In 2027 the film festival also joins Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival in celebrating eight decades of creativity and bringing audiences together in the Scottish capital.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
That the accusation is being made against an African writer about a prize celebrating African writing is something others have noticed and called out.

— James Folta, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of celebrating

Verb

The 100% cotton set, made in Italy, is slightly softer than your typical percale, while retaining the crisp, cool feel that makes the material a perennial favorite.

— Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
Paraphrasing typically restates the original information in more relevant language while retaining key ideas.

— Ethan Stone, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of retaining

Verb

They’re being asked to consider the most basic questions about meaning, and justice, and leading a fulfilling life.

— Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026
Our public schools will always play an important role in preparing Maryland’s children for productive and fulfilling lives.

— Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of fulfilling

Verb

Every operation consumes computational resources, while storing intermediate results requires additional qubits.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Both robots had equal-power motors, with one providing steady, continuous motion in the rigid legs and the other intermittently storing energy and releasing it in snaps.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026