Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

sustain

[suh-steyn] / səˈsteɪn /
VERB
keep up, maintain
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assist bolster buoy continue defend help nurse preserve save
STRONG
aid approve back bankroll bear befriend brace buttress carry comfort confirm convey endorse favor feed foster lug nourish nurture pack prolong prop protract ratify relieve supply support tote transfer transport uphold validate verify
WEAK
go for keep alive keep from falling keep going lend a hand provide for shore up stand by stick up for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
harm hinder hurt obstruct stop
STRONG
abbreviate condemn contradict deny deprive disagree disapprove discourage disprove hold ignore injure invalidate keep let down let go maintain neglect oppose refuse reject shorten starve take trouble veto weaken
WEAK
abstain discontinue halt
VERB
endure, experience
Synonyms
STRONGEST
feel have see suffer tolerate undergo withstand
STRONG
abide bear brook digest encounter go know stand stomach
WEAK
bear up under bear with hang in live with put up with stand up to take it
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disallow
STRONG
avoid evade misunderstand refuse reject shun stop surrender
WEAK
abstain discontinue halt

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.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.