Antonyms for keeps down

Grammar : Verb

Spell : keep

Phonetic Transcription : kip

Definition of keeps down

Origin : late Old English cepan "to seize, hold," also "to observe," from Proto-Germanic *kopijanan, but with no certain connection to other languages. It possibly is related to Old English capian "to look," from Proto-Germanic *kap- (cepan was used c.1000 to render Latin observare), which would make the basic sense "to keep an eye on."
The word prob. belongs primarily to the vulgar and non-literary stratum of the language; but it comes up suddenly into literary use c.1000, and that in many senses, indicating considerable previous development. [OED]
Sense of "preserve, maintain" is from mid-14c. Meaning "to maintain in proper order" is from 1550s; meaning "financially support and privately control" (usually in reference to mistresses) is from 1540s. Related: Kept; keeping.

As in mute : verb muffle, tone down sound
As in oppress : verb depress, subdue
As in restrain : verb keep under control; hold back
As in silence : verb make or be quiet
As in quieten : verb silence
As in shush : verb silence

Example sentences :

In front a flat piece of iron enters the mouth and keeps down the tongue.
Extract from : « The Gypsies » by Charles G. Leland

It's duty that keeps down the overgrowths that luxury incites.
Extract from : « Imaginary Interviews » by W. D. Howells

They say that it keeps down revolution; it keeps the Indian in his place.
Extract from : « The Andes of Southern Peru » by Isaiah Bowman

They earn nearly twice as much, and it is the difficulty of getting enough men for this work that keeps down production.
Extract from : « The Argentine Republic » by Pierre Denis

A few inches excludes the wind, yet keeps down the temperature so as to prevent dripping from the interior.
Extract from : « The International Monthly Magazine, Volume 5, No. 1, January, 1852 » by Various

This keeps down the population, and has prevailed for at least one hundred and twenty years.
Extract from : « Chambers's Journal of Popular Literature, Science, and Art, No. 699 » by Various

But it has been found that he does more good by the weeds he keeps down than harm by the grain he eats.
Extract from : « The Children's Book of Birds » by Olive Thorne Miller

But an application every few hours keeps down the intolerable itching, which is the most annoying feature of sumach poisoning.
Extract from : « Searchlights on Health: Light on Dark Corners » by B.G. Jefferis

She directs the servants, reproves them if necessary, superintends the accounts, and keeps down expenses.
Extract from : « Juliette Drouet's Love-Letters to Victor Hugo » by Louis Guimbaud

It is the cost of transportation that keeps down value on their lands; lower this, and land rises at once.
Extract from : « Two Years in Oregon » by Wallis Nash

Synonyms for keeps down

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019