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Synonyms

keep from

British  

verb

  1. (foll by a gerund) to prevent or restrain (oneself or another); refrain or cause to refrain

  2. (tr) to protect or preserve from

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

keep from Idioms  
  1. Withhold; also, prevent. For example, What information are you keeping from me? or Please keep your dog from running through our garden . [c. 1340]

  2. Restrain oneself, hold oneself back, as in I can hardly keep from laughing . [c. 1340]


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Surrounded by grieving women at Al-Mawasi camp in southern Gaza, where Palestinians displaced by fighting and bombardment live in precarious conditions, Nur al-Huda pressed her lips together to keep from crying.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

Much of the time I was depressed just trying to keep from drowning in the maelstrom of events and emotions swirling around him.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 11, 2025

They’ll discuss the lessons we should keep from the systemic failure that resulted in the Great Depression and why the knowledge feels as relevant as ever today.

From Slate • Oct. 30, 2025

Bigger companies were able to front load their inventories in anticipation, and small businesses have been taking out loans and freezing hiring to keep from raising prices.

From Salon • Oct. 26, 2025

We knew what was happening—there was no way to keep from knowing.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom