keep

(verbs)

Found 22 stronger alternatives to upgrade your writing.

continue

Keep doing something

T1

Nuance: Ongoing

Great for instructions.

Boring

Keep working until the timer ends.

Better

Continue working until the timer ends.

hold

Keep in your hand

T1

Nuance: Physical

Use for holding physically.

Boring

Keep the door open for the next person.

Better

Hold the door for the next person.

protect

Keep safe

T1

Nuance: Safe

Use for safety.

Boring

Keep your eyes safe by wearing goggles.

Better

Protect your eyes by wearing goggles.

remember

Keep in your mind

T1

Nuance: Mind

Good for reminders.

Boring

Keep it in mind to bring your library book.

Better

Remember to bring your library book.

save

Keep for later

T1

Nuance: Everyday / school

Also for money/time.

Boring

Before you shut the laptop

Better

Save your work before closing the laptop.

stay

Keep in the same place/state

T1

Nuance: Steady

Use for positions/states.

Boring

Please keep your seat during the video.

Better

Please stay seated during the video.

store

Keep in a place for later

T1

Nuance: Organized

Good for objects and supplies.

Boring

We kept the decorations in a box.

Better

We stored the decorations in a box.

guard

Keep safe by watching

T2

Nuance: Watchful

Use for watching/protecting.

Boring

The dog kept watch over the yard at night.

Better

The dog guarded the yard at night.

hold onto

Keep and not let go

T2

Nuance: Not lose

Common and clear phrase.

Boring

Keep your ticket until you leave.

Better

Hold onto your ticket until you leave.

maintain

Keep in good condition

T2

Nuance: Steady

Great for routines/quality.

Boring

Keep a steady pace during the run.

Better

Maintain a steady pace during the run.

preserve

Keep from damage/ruin

T2

Nuance: Protect

Good for history/nature.

Boring

We kept the old photos in an album.

Better

We preserved the old photos in an album.

retain

Keep and not lose

T2

Nuance: Hold onto

Great for memory/information.

Boring

Students keep more information when they practice.

Better

Students retain more when they practice.

set aside

Keep for later (money/time/items)

T2

Nuance: Reserved

Great for planning.

Boring

She kept time for studying by putting it on her calendar.

Better

She set aside time to study.

stick to

Keep following a plan/rule

T2

Nuance: Consistent

Great for routines.

Boring

Keep to the schedule so we finish on time.

Better

Stick to the schedule so we finish on time.

conserve

Keep by using less

T3

Nuance: Save resources

Good for environment/science.

Boring

We kept water during the drought.

Better

We conserved water during the drought.

ensure

Keep something true by making sure

T3

Nuance: Certain

Use for making sure a condition stays true.

Boring

Check your work to keep your answers accurate.

Better

Check your work to ensure accuracy.

perpetuate

Keep something going (often negative)

T3

Nuance: Continue

Formal; often negative impact.

Boring

Spreading rumors keeps harm going.

Better

Spreading rumors perpetuates harm.

reserve

Keep available for later

T3

Nuance: Saved

Formal; for spots/rooms/resources.

Boring

The hotel kept a room for our group.

Better

The hotel reserved a room for our group.

safeguard

Keep very safe (formal)

T3

Nuance: Secure

Formal; great for rules/safety.

Boring

Keep your password safe online.

Better

Safeguard your password online.

sustain

Keep going over time

T3

Nuance: Long-lasting

Formal; for effort/energy.

Boring

They kept the effort for the whole game.

Better

They sustained the effort for the whole game.

uphold

Keep supporting a rule/value

T3

Nuance: Respect

Formal; for rules/values.

Boring

We must keep following the school rules.

Better

We must uphold the school rules.

withhold

Keep back / not give

T3

Nuance: Held back

Use for keeping information back.

Boring

He kept the answer until the end.

Better

He withheld the answer until the end.