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.
The job is hard to sustain at that level “unless you’re having someone else basically raise your kids, like a nanny.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026
Beyond storing carbon, mangroves play a critical role in shielding shorelines from storms, supporting wildlife, and helping sustain coastal communities.
From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026
“L.A. is learning to be a place that needs to sustain itself out of balance, in particular, since the fires,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026
By contrast the underperformers—a diverse group from Etsy to Caesars Entertainment, and Target—often entered the pandemic with these catalysts but couldn’t sustain them amid rising competition and a changing landscape.
From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026
You were—reckless— with the world some people—some very dear friends of mine and yours — sacrificed a huge amount to create and sustain.
From "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" by J.K. Rowling
Vocabulary lists containing sustain
List 2
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"Joyas Voladoras" by Brian Doyle
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Mother's Day Words: What Mothers Do
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