sustain
Usage
What are other ways to say sustain?
To sustain, a rather elevated word, suggests completeness and adequacy in supporting: The court sustained his claim. To support is to hold up or add strength to, literally or figuratively: The columns support the roof. To maintain is to support so as to preserve intact: to maintain an attitude of defiance. Uphold applies especially to supporting or backing another, as in a statement, opinion, or belief: to uphold the rights of a minority.
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.
American tanker aircraft helped sustain Israeli operations, and officials from both countries worked closely in planning military actions.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026
“For vendors, it means only those that can adapt their strategies to this new cost environment and sustain demand at elevated price points will survive.”
From Barron's • May 29, 2026
"Korean tattooists had to take risks to do their job to sustain this beautiful underground culture."
From BBC • May 29, 2026
The second pathway acts more slowly through hormones circulating in the body, helping sustain protein-seeking behavior over a longer period.
From Science Daily • May 28, 2026
The phytoplankton, microscopic plants that float near the surface of water, had begun to remodel the lake into an environment that could once again sustain larger life.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
Vocabulary lists containing sustain
List 2
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"Joyas Voladoras" by Brian Doyle
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Mother's Day Words: What Mothers Do
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