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keep at bay

VERB

fight back/fight off

Synonyms

WEAK

beat off bottle up check contain control curb fend off hold at bay hold back oppose put up fight repel reply repress repulse resist restrain retaliate stave off ward off

Antonyms

WEAK

give in give up surrender yield

VERB

hold the line

Synonyms

WEAK

block check hang on hinder hold the fort obstruct stop

VERB

rebuff

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chide deny dismiss disregard fend off ignore oppose rebuke refuse reject repudiate resist snub spurn turn down

STRONG

check cross cut decline disallow discourage neglect repel reprove repulse slight

WEAK

beat off brush off cold-shoulder hold off keep at a distance keep at arm's length lash out at not hear of pass up push back put in one's place put off send away stave off tell off ward off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

OK accept acknowledge admit allow approve compliment go along grant note pay attention praise regard sanction welcome

STRONG

aid assist attract help permit

WEAK

hug include take in

VERB

repel

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chase away confront drive away drive off fend off hold off rebuff resist ward off withstand

STRONG

buck check cool cut decline dismiss disown dispute duel fight kick oppose parry rebut refuse reject traverse

WEAK

beat back beat off brush off cast aside drive back force back force off give cold shoulder to hold back keep at arm's length keep off knock down push back put down put to flight stand up against stave off turn down

Antonyms

STRONG

accept agree aid allow approve assist help increase sanction support

WEAK

attract draw

VERB

ward/ward off

Synonyms

WEAK

avert avoid beat off block check deflect deter divert fend foil forestall frustrate halt hold off interrupt keep at arm's length keep off obviate parry preclude prevent rebuff rebut repel repulse rule out stave off stop stymie thwart turn turn aside turn away

Antonyms

WEAK

lay bare make vulnerable open

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.

Ukraine has learned to safeguard this trade by using naval drones to keep at bay Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 2026

And as those behind it move aside, how will al-Sharaa keep at bay any other criminals waiting in the wings to replace them?

From BBC • Dec. 21, 2024

Having an extra-thick uterine lining, as is the case in humans, helps the female body keep at bay the tentacle-like villi of the invasive human placenta should pregnancy occur.

From Slate • Sep. 7, 2024

Modern-day cockroaches are tough to keep at bay because they evolve quickly to resist pesticides, according to study author Qian Tang, a postdoctoral researcher studying insects at Harvard University.

From Seattle Times • May 20, 2024

The spike plunged into him, that familiar anxiety he worked so hard to keep at bay.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro

keep at bay

Example Sentences

Related Words