maintains

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

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.

Bernstein maintains an optimistic view External link of medical technology stocks, despite their lag since the Covid-19 pandemic.

From Barron's • Jun. 18, 2026

The observations revealed that each honey bee follows its own preferred route and maintains that path with exceptional accuracy on both outbound and return trips.

From Science Daily • Jun. 14, 2026

The Ukrainian government maintains that it was not involved in the operation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

Sandoval maintains a fiery pace throughout the album, commanding not only the trumpet, but the timbales and piano.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

“I just have so much more energy if I stay off wheat,” she maintains.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri