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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.

Blackmore admitted unacceptable professional conduct and/or conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute, and failing to maintain professional boundaries, on 24 March.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

One issue for patients with the disease is that they struggle to maintain healthy blood pressure and blood sugar.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

All of this takes training, discipline, and the money to buy and maintain the best weapons in the world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

The Bruins kept the heat on during a second quarter in which they made mistakes, seemed to lose momentum, then collected themselves to maintain their huge edge.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

The man holding the lead rope shoots a succession of glances at me as he struggles to maintain control.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.