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.
The comedian said if the government agreed funding to clubs "as almost a form of insurance" to keep trying new acts and supporting emerging talent "then we'd have an industry that can sustain itself".
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026
It has now spent five years telling the public that above-target inflation is temporary, and each new shock makes that harder to sustain.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026
No one needed his blessing to enter the race, or his backing to sustain their candidacy.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
Swinney said the support depended on the manufacturer being able to show it had enough orders to sustain operations in Scotland.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
The coffee was heartening and there was always a bun or a bologna sandwich to sustain her.
From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
