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.
See Examples For:
A federal judge has ruled that disappointment over a faceless Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkin isn’t enough to sustain a lawsuit against Hershey.
From Salon ● Sep. 19, 2026
“Against this backdrop, policymakers are likely to maintain a measured policy stance, relying on targeted fiscal support to sustain growth rather than further rate cuts,” they said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
The Himalayas are a vast natural water system feeding rivers that sustain hundreds of millions of people across South Asia.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026
The match swung back and forth, with neither pair able to sustain a telling lead, but three birdies in a row from the 11th gave the Swedes a two-hole lead.
From Barron's ● Sep. 12, 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
The lake's extreme briny environment sustains algae blooms that attract flamboyances of pink flamingos that thrive in the area.
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026
By that standard, a conflict that keeps going and sustains higher energy prices is the kind of development that would shape their thinking.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026
But "higher oil prices is likely going to translate into higher prices for the consumer if it sustains at this level."
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
“You can only find it in King’s Landing. It sustains itself on the waste of other creatures. It’s beautiful.”
From Salon ● Aug. 11, 2026
Our shared vulnerability and imperfection nurtures and sustains our capacity for compassion.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
Franz, the cabin boy, escaped unharmed, while Dova and Morris were among the passengers who sustained only minor injuries.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
Researchers do not yet know whether these changes in biomarker profiles will persist over time or lead to sustained biological age reversal.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 16, 2026
Economists say that higher global energy prices - if sustained - usually lead to even higher prices for households and weaker economic growth, which translates into lower incomes and wages for people.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
Hopeful return: Third baseman Nolan Arenado suffered an injury to his left thumb Tuesday, the same injury he sustained in late August.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026
A whistle blows, a long sustained warning followed by the hissing and sputtering of the engine.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
“While Medacta’s competitive advantages remain intact, sustaining its historical growth rates will become increasingly challenging as the business scales,” Deutsche Bank says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
But actually attaining and sustaining that growth is what’s difficult.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026
Meanwhile, left tackle Rashawn Slater, who missed all of last season after sustaining a knee injury in training camp, was sidelined for much of August because of a flare-up to that same knee.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026
Grealish spent the 2025-26 season on loan with Everton, making 20 appearances, before sustaining a season-ending foot injury in January.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
He noticed that she was leading an apparently normal life but that she barely ate, sustaining herself with milk and a few spoonfuls of honey.
From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende
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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