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.
See Examples For:
The Rams’ receiver corps — and the team’s aspirations for another Super Bowl title — continue to sustain major hits.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 9, 2026
He may resent working so hard to sustain a pretty extravagant and, yes, generous lifestyle.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 9, 2026
Similar relationships between bacteria and mucus help sustain coral reefs, kelp forests, plant root systems, and the digestive systems of humans and other animals.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 9, 2026
However, the key focus will be if the island can sustain the momentum into 2027.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
But it was not designed to sustain a sudden impact from a loose three-hundred-kilogram mass.
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
A firm dollar adds to the pressure, while stronger-than-expected U.S. data sustains the case for keeping monetary conditions restrictive, he adds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
“It is this right that sustains and nurtures our democracy today.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026
If chip sector momentum sustains throughout the day on Monday, that could “clear out the tone and build back positive momentum” from the past few months — “especially in semiconductors,” he said.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 19, 2026
Currently the resurgence is fuelled locally by anger over foreign trawlers which overfish in Somali waters, damaging the fishing industry that sustains communities in Puntland.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
That which sustains the universe beyond thought and language, and that which is at the core of us and struggles for expression, is the same thing.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
Multiple floors of the Aramco tower appeared to have sustained damage, said another witness, with glass shattered and damage to part of the tower's facade visible.
From Barron's ● Nov. 8, 2026
This summer, when he had the longest stretch of sustained health during his short professional career, he could finally show teammates and coaches what he could do.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 7, 2026
Three people are in a critical condition and a further 13 have sustained minor injuries.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
That’s why very few fund managers have produced sustained outperformance.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2026
She knew that Taisin might have sustained other, less visible, injuries, but she had no idea how to treat them.
From "Huntress" by Malinda Lo
Depending on the severity and location of the problem, this can contribute to weakness, reduced coordination, and difficulty sustaining physical activity.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 10, 2026
That was not the case for Frenchman Tel, who was unable to continue after sustaining a bruising injury to his left foot.
From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2026
Detroit linebacker Jack Campbell was resting and recovering in a hospital on Monday, a day after sustaining a neck injury in the Lions’ game against the Minnesota Vikings.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026
For thousands of Maine families who rely on lobstering, the stakes in sustaining maritime commerce are high.
From Barron's ● Oct. 24, 2026
“Blessed be Thou ... for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this day.”
From "Night" by Elie Wiesel
Vocabulary lists containing sustain
List 2
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"Joyas Voladoras" by Brian Doyle
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