keep up

verb

kept up; keeping up; keeps up
Synonyms of keep upnext

transitive verb

: to persist or persevere in
kept up the good work
also : maintain, sustain
keep standards up

intransitive verb

1
: to keep adequately informed or up-to-date
keep up on international affairs
2
: to continue without interruption
rain kept up all night
3
: to maintain contact or relations with someone
keep up with old friends

Synonyms of keep up

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Examples of keep up in a Sentence

let's hope that old air conditioner keeps up through this heat wave kept the house up while the owners were gone
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Expect Pogačar and Vingegaard to test their legs in this one, along with anyone else who can keep up. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 1 July 2026 The airport has expanded rapidly to keep up, adding restaurants, gates and a new lobby. — Joel Rose, NPR, 1 July 2026 Between bars closing and those that remain having to tread more lightly, Palace is in a state of constant evolution to keep up. — Delia Rose Sauer, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 After taking a 2-1 lead in the deciding set, however, Williams was unable to keep up the momentum and dropped three straight games and four of the next five. — Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for keep up

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of keep up was in the 15th century

Rhymes for keep up

See All Rhymes for keep up

Browse Nearby Words

keep under surveillance
keep up
keep up appearances
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Keep up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keep%20up. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

keep up

verb
1
: maintain sense 1
keep standards up
2
: to stay well informed about something
keep up on the news
3
: to continue without interruption
rain kept up all night
4
: to stay even with others (as in a race)

More from Merriam-Webster on keep up

Nglish: Translation of keep up for Spanish Speakers

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