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.
Critics say the distinction is difficult to sustain when the account belongs to a head of state.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
Beyond storing carbon, mangroves play a critical role in shielding shorelines from storms, supporting wildlife, and helping sustain coastal communities.
From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026
While Big Tech stocks may still be flying high, some companies are realizing they can’t sustain this level of spending on tokens.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026
“L.A. is learning to be a place that needs to sustain itself out of balance, in particular, since the fires,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026
Farming enabled populations to increase so radically and rapidly that no complex agricultural society could ever again sustain itself if it returned to hunting and gathering.
From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari
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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