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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.

Bernstein analysts maintain an outperform rating for the stock and raised its target price to 620 yuan from 600 yuan.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

They provide more than $4 billion in seed funding to commercial startups that provide valuable services to the government and public, stimulate the economy and help maintain the country’s competitive edge.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

The bulk of the care is done by family and friends, which affects those unpaid caregivers’ ability to maintain their jobs, build their own retirement wealth and prepare for their own needs down the road.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

Sunak’s essay pairs hawkish foreign policy analysis with patriotic nostalgia for how the Royal Navy used to maintain Britain’s position as a “global hegemon.”

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

A good falsetto produces a clear, clean “boy’s choir” type of sound, and is where children should try to sing in order to maintain a healthy voice.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Vocabulary lists containing maintain

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On Your Mark, Get Set, Commence Your Life!

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!