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.

For years, Washington maintained a hub-and-spoke approach to allies surrounding China, nurturing singular relationships with Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia and others.

From The Wall Street Journal

He will maintain his role as chairman of the board.

From MarketWatch

Her reporting focuses on how individuals build and maintain their wealth.

From The Wall Street Journal

It did not specify whether they included political prisoners, but it said they had all "served a significant portion of their sentences and have maintained good conduct while in prison".

From BBC

Tindall, Jones and the rest of Howe's staff were instead focused on maintaining standards behind the scenes, imploring the players to put in performances that would make the head coach proud.

From BBC

maintain

Usage

Example Sentences

Related Words