Synonyms for maintain
- continue
- control
- cultivate
- finance
- keep
- manage
- preserve
- protect
- provide
- renew
- retain
- support
- sustain
- uphold
- advance
- conserve
- guard
- nurture
- perpetuate
- persevere
- prolong
- repair
- save
- supply
- carry on
- go on with
- keep going
- look after
- take care of
Antonyms for maintain
- abandon
- destroy
- discontinue
- finish
- give up
- halt
- hurt
- ignore
- let go
- neglect
- release
- stop
- take
- squander
- waste
- condemn
- desert
- discard
- forget
EXAMPLES FROM THE WEB FOR MAINTAIN
Prosperity and power—yes, they are important, and we must maintain them.
An integer or two would be more useful to maintain the integrity of the House.
Yet as a last resort to maintain the right, war is justifiable.
In this situation we concluded to maintain our garrison, if possible.
I could not maintain the same calm in throwing off my hat and coat, and was vexed with myself for it.
Your right was right as long as you could maintain it; so is ours.
It is your part to pave the way for this deception; mine to maintain it.
But how to maintain himself and his family until the wares were made and ready for sale?
Exactly; just as I maintain all that is honorable and disinterested.
But as a rule he managed to maintain a dignity that was almost solemnity.
WORD ORIGIN
mid-13c., "to practice habitually," from Anglo-French meintenir (Old French maintenir, 12c.) "keep (a wife), sustain; persevere in, practice continually," from Latin manu tenere "hold in the hand," from manu, ablative of manus "hand" (see manual) + tenere "to hold" (see tenet). Meaning "to carry on, keep up" is from mid-14c.; that of "to keep oneself, to support" is from late 14c. Sense of "to defend in speech" is from mid-14c. Related: Maintained; maintaining; maintains.