" keep one's distance "

1: to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony;

  * e.g., " ... keep the Sabbath by not working "

•  Synonyms : 

•  celebrate,

•  commemorate,

•  observe

•  Antonyms : 

•  break,

•  transgress,

•  violate

2: to continue to have in one's possession or power;

  * e.g., " ... the money is yours to keep "

•  Synonyms : 

•  hold,

•  reserve,

•  retain,

•  withhold

•  Antonyms : 

•  give up,

•  hand over,

•  release,

•  relinquish,

•  surrender,

•  yield

3: to do what is required by the terms of;

  * e.g., " ... make sure you keep your promise to help out at the homeless shelter "

•  Synonyms : 

•  answer,

•  complete,

•  comply (with),

•  fill,

•  fulfill,

•  meet,

•  redeem,

•  satisfy

•  Antonyms : 

•  breach,

•  break,

•  transgress,

•  violate

1: to resist the temptation of;

  * e.g., " ... try to keep from eating all the chocolate in one day! "

•  Synonyms : 

•  abjure,

•  abstain (from),

•  forbear,

•  forgo,

•  refrain (from),

•  withhold (from)

•  Antonyms : 

•  bow (to),

•  give in (to),

•  submit (to),

•  succumb (to),

•  surrender (to),

•  yield (to)

1: to give steadfast support to;

  * e.g., " ... always keeps to his political positions, even when they are unpopular "

•  Synonyms : 

•  adhere (to),

•  cling (to),

•  hew (to),

•  stand by,

•  stick (to or with)

•  Antonyms : 

•  defect (from)