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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.

Back then, Xi and the KMT leader, Ma Ying-jeou, even swapped their official titles for a simple, mutual “Mister” to maintain the appearance of balance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Sunak’s essay pairs hawkish foreign policy analysis with patriotic nostalgia for how the Royal Navy used to maintain Britain’s position as a “global hegemon.”

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

On the diplomatic front, the new president -- who is elected for seven years, renewable once -- is also expected to maintain a policy of continuity.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

In addition, internal membrane structures help maintain the separation of nucleoids.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

This discipline is of such efficacy that not only does it maintain those who were born princes, but it enables men of private station on many occasions to rise to that position.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli

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