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Definitions

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.

If England are to maintain their position at the top of the table, they will need a result in Spain on 5 June - and Hampton could be busy.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Another healthcare benefits consultant who doesn’t maintain conventional insurance, Cristy Gupton, 52, sliced the skin on the tip of her pinkie finger while cooking at her parents’ house in 2024.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

These thresholds represent the water temperatures at which large fish can no longer release heat quickly enough to maintain stable body temperatures.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026

“And Nexstar must put measures in place to maintain Tegna as an ongoing, economically viable, and active competitor.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

The result is a kind of contagion of panic, and before long the men leading the zebras and llamas are struggling to maintain control.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

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