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.
Humans can often sustain focus on a specific goal while filtering out competing information.
From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026
Zendaya’s ability to sustain Rue’s humor and humanity across Season 3’s eight episodes of shock-and-awe material shows real commitment.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
Treasury must sustain its conviction that properly deployed, economic power profoundly complements traditional military and diplomatic tools.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
At 59, he is disillusioned and doubts that Los Angeles will sustain its efforts beyond the Olympic Games.
From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026
Piper tried to imagine what Nico di Angelo was feeling, stuck in a jar with only two pomegranate seeds left to sustain him, and no idea whether he would be rescued.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
Vocabulary lists containing sustain
List 2
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"Joyas Voladoras" by Brian Doyle
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Mother's Day Words: What Mothers Do
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