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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.

"It is really hard to maintain that balance," she says.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

This could further enhance the cost-effectiveness of compressed natural gas vehicles, while providing the city gas distributor with pricing flexibility to maintain profitability.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Castellanos and others have accused the department of overreacting to the situation, which they maintain was largely peaceful.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

“And then if I want to maintain that wealth, it deters the decumulation of assets in old age.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

The alpha male strives to maintain social harmony within his troop.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

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