maintain

[meyn-teyn] / meɪnˈteɪn /

VERB

care for, keep up

Synonyms

STRONGEST

continue control cultivate finance keep manage preserve protect provide renew retain support sustain uphold

STRONG

advance conserve guard nurture perpetuate persevere prolong repair save supply

WEAK

carry on go on with keep going look after take care of

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abandon destroy discontinue finish give up halt hurt ignore let go neglect release stop take

STRONG

squander waste

WEAK

condemn desert discard forget

VERB

assert, claim; argue for

Synonyms

STRONGEST

advocate declare defend emphasize hold insist say stress uphold

STRONG

affirm allege asseverate attest aver avow back champion contend correct justify persist profess protest rectify report right state vindicate

WEAK

fight for plead for stand by

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abandon attack deny desert forget forsake quit

STRONG

conceal give up leave repudiate

WEAK

condemn discard ignore neglect

Usage

What are other ways to say maintain? To maintain is to support so as to preserve intact: to maintain an attitude of defiance. To support is to hold up or add strength to, literally or figuratively: The columns support the roof. To sustain, a rather elevated word, suggests completeness and adequacy in supporting: The court sustained his claim. 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 region includes seven of the 12 governments worldwide that maintain diplomatic relations with the democratically run island, including Guatemala, Paraguay and Haiti.

From The Wall Street Journal

The partners were charged in October 2024 with a misdemeanor for failing to maintain the building.

From Los Angeles Times

However, about £30 will be knocked off those annual savings from April to pay for maintaining gas networks and strengthening the electricity transmission network.

From BBC

Reigning champions Ivory Coast pipped Cameroon to top spot in their group after Algeria maintained their perfect record as the first round of the Africa Cup of Nations concluded on Wednesday.

From Barron's

In younger individuals, these stem cells maintain a healthy balance.

From Science Daily

maintain

Usage

Example Sentences

Related Words