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Definitions

maintain

[meyn-teyn] / meɪnˈteɪn /
VERB
care for, keep up
Synonyms
STRONGEST
continue control cultivate finance keep manage preserve protect provide renew retain support sustain uphold
STRONG
advance conserve guard nurture perpetuate persevere prolong repair save supply
WEAK
carry on go on with keep going look after take care of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abandon destroy discontinue finish give up halt hurt ignore let go neglect release stop take
STRONG
squander waste
WEAK
condemn desert discard forget
VERB
assert, claim; argue for
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advocate declare defend emphasize hold insist say stress uphold
STRONG
affirm allege asseverate attest aver avow back champion contend correct justify persist profess protest rectify report right state vindicate
WEAK
fight for plead for stand by
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abandon attack deny desert forget forsake quit
STRONG
conceal give up leave repudiate
WEAK
condemn discard ignore neglect

Usage

What are other ways to say maintain? To maintain is to support so as to preserve intact: to maintain an attitude of defiance. To support is to hold up or add strength to, literally or figuratively: The columns support the roof. To sustain, a rather elevated word, suggests completeness and adequacy in supporting: The court sustained his claim. 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.

“We maintain our view that it will take Pantoro numerous quarters of production inline with guidance before it regains the market’s trust,” Euroz Hartleys says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

For Russia, the key question is whether it can maintain influence if Mali diversifies its security ties.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

They maintain that they had a hopefulness that contrasts with Didion’s protagonist.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

The reported deal would likely do little to fundamentally change that trajectory, but might serve to help SiriusXM and iHeartMedia maintain their combined market position for longer.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

Lilya did, but that wasn’t the end of her insurrection, or of her battle to maintain her femininity.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

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