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.
“Based on our calculation, even if the inventory drawdown rate picks up to more than one million barrels a day, China’s commercial reserves alone are enough to sustain another six months,” she said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 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
The word genocide shares its root with gene—and for good reason: the Nazis used the vocabulary of genes and genetics to launch, justify, and sustain their agenda.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
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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