sustain
Usage
What are other ways to say sustain?
To sustain, a rather elevated word, suggests completeness and adequacy in supporting: The court sustained his claim. To support is to hold up or add strength to, literally or figuratively: The columns support the roof. To maintain is to support so as to preserve intact: to maintain an attitude of defiance. 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.
No one needed his blessing to enter the race, or his backing to sustain their candidacy.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
It might be her most personal yet, finding inspiration in a philosophy she uses to sustain her spirit: Stoicism.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
Whether modern India can now sustain its middle class is the question this decade will answer.
From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026
Unity looked set to be a pandemic-era hit on the back of exploding hype for the “metaverse,” but it was unable to sustain this momentum.
From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026
In practice, the engine was used to power ornamental fountains, but not to pump water out of mines, because Savery could not build boilers and cylinders which would sustain a sufficiently high pressure.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
