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kept

Definition of keptnext
past tense of keep
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as in stored
to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability I keep extra toothbrushes for unexpected overnight guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in maintained
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

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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 kept But Daniels kept getting hurt this season, managing to start only seven games and getting shut down in December after a series of injuries to his left knee, right hamstring and left elbow. Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026 While rebounding kept the Horned Frogs in the game early, the offense finally picked up until the mistakes piled up down the stretch. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026 Brown, now 53, kept a journal as a 21-year-old serving four years in prison on federal fraud charges. Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026 He was promoted to defensive assistant in 2002 and kept advancing — to assistant defensive backs coach, linebackers coach, defensive backs coach and finally defensive coordinator in 2009 after the death of legendary Jim Johnson. Dan Pompei, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026 Lelevicius made two crucial free throws with 12 seconds remaining, but another Kansas basket kept the Jayhawks in it with less than 10 seconds to go. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2026 Local fire and government authorities are notified prior to burn days and kept informed throughout prescribed fire operations. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Jan. 2026 When kept outdoors, day-neutral strawberries typically fruit sporadically until the first killing frost of fall. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026 Johnson has kept the House out of session since mid-September after Republicans passed a bill to continue government funding. Nik Popli, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kept
Verb
  • The project will be the next phase of the Miami Museum of Contemporary Art of the African Diaspora (MoCAAD), a virtual museum that celebrated its 10th anniversary in December at a gala at the Lyric Theater.
    Dorothy Jenkins Fields, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
  • This past October, Parker celebrated her son James Wilkie's 23rd birthday with a video on Instagram.
    Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • America’s public health report card is in, and New Hampshire has retained its crown as the country’s healthiest state.
    Tristan Bove, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Dubai retained its clear lead among Gulf real estate markets last year, with buyers spending 541 billion dirhams ($147 billion) on residential property in the emirate in 2025, some 27% more than the year before.
    Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The paywall implementation follows intense backlash after the chatbot fulfilled requests to digitally remove clothing from photographs without subjects’ consent.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The real issue is whether WBD’s Board has run a fair process and in the end will have fulfilled its most basic obligation to shareholders.
    Mark DesJardine, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • It's stored like Fuyus, but if untreated, it's best kept at room temperature, then consumed.
    Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Ideally, paint, stains, and other chemicals should always be stored in a warm, dry location out of direct sunlight.
    Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Over the next decade, Wuornos grew increasingly religious and maintained correspondence with Australian artist Jasmine Hirst, whose letters and interviews appear throughout the documentary.
    Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
  • The Magic maintained a 59-51 lead at half, but Boston pulled even early in the third after Minott drew a foul on an aggressive crash, and Pritchard picked Bane’s pocket and canned a three.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Even amid some clunky exposition, Welcome to Derry has at least managed to offer compelling horror set pieces to keep heart rates up.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
  • In Week 5, Matthew Stafford passed for 389 yards and three touchdowns, but the Rams converted on only four of 10 third downs, and after taking a 17-7 lead into halftime, managed only nine points in the final two quarters and overtime.
    Mike Jones, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Three City Hall employees reported that their wallets, which contained cash, credit cards, health savings account cards, and personal ID were stolen from their offices, per Boston Police reports.
    Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The damage was largely contained to what firefighters call a wildland-urban interface fire, not a larger conflagration like the one developing in the Palisades.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Trim the dead parts, shake the soil off, and store them in a cool, dark location where they are protected from the cold.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Nov. 2025
  • So she’s introduced a new contract to make sure she’s protected from fluctuating prices.
    Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Kept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kept. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

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