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Definitions

maintain

[meyn-teyn] / meɪnˈteɪn /




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.

See Examples For:

Preservatives are added to foods for several reasons, including preventing the growth of bacteria and mold, slowing spoilage, and helping products maintain their color, flavor, or freshness for longer.

From Science Daily Sep. 20, 2026

We need to maintain our staffing, but, you know, we’re also having new recruit classes all the time.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 20, 2026

He started on the data center’s night shift, helping maintain machinery for customers across the world.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 19, 2026

As it turns out, equity is difficult to maintain in such an absurd age.

From Salon Sep. 19, 2026

Thus some disciples of Newton were prepared to follow the logic of natural law through to its conclusion and maintain that everything that happens happens in accordance with the laws of nature.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

China still maintains a 10 percent levy on all US goods, with additional rates applicable in other specific sectors, such as 15 percent on liquid natural gas.

From Barron's Sep. 17, 2026

“The shortfall would become especially problematic if a conflict arose with an opponent whose arsenal included large numbers of ballistic and cruise missiles,” according to the report, adding China maintains such an arsenal.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 15, 2026

Nomura maintains its buy rating on the stock.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 15, 2026

"China's economy continues to show diverging signals, as consumption and investment remain weak while industrial production maintains the momentum," Zhiwei Zhang, President and Chief Economist at Pinpoint Asset Management, wrote in an analyst note.

From Barron's Sep. 15, 2026

The psychologist Walter Mischel argues that the human mind has a kind of “reducing valve” that “creates and maintains the perception of continuity even in the face of perpetual observed changes in actual behavior.”

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell

Their results indicate that T. rex maintained a body temperature of about 97 degrees Fahrenheit, remarkably close to that of humans.

From Science Daily Sep. 20, 2026

I have voted for multiple budgets that have maintained our police staffing, sought to expand our police staffing.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 20, 2026

The three men maintained that they were performing citizen journalism and were at her property to obtain a doorstep interview, as part of their own documentary, and that they were acting in the public interest.

From BBC Sep. 18, 2026

Allie Carr, a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices agent in Cleveland, said it pays to make your house look meticulously maintained.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 17, 2026

Ella plucked it from Feste but maintained her distance, still skeptical about the talking doll.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Don Atkinson has worked at the company for around 14 years, following 17 years in the military and a job maintaining backup power systems.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 19, 2026

Once Roman settles into its orbit around L2, maintaining its position should require only periodic station-keeping burns about once every 28 days.

From Science Daily Sep. 18, 2026

In the cover story, the 2026 Oscar nominee reflected on her childhood in Manchester, being pregnant during awards season and her commitment to maintaining a joyful workplace.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 16, 2026

For Chaudhuri, despite market expectations, the Fed should be holding rates, maintaining a level between 3.50% to 3.75% because inflation is actually moderating.

From MarketWatch Sep. 16, 2026

"Thanks for the tip," Martinez said, maintaining the burn and watching the tilt readout.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir




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