maintain

main·tain

transitive verb \mān-ˈtān, mən-\

Definition of MAINTAIN

1

: to keep in an existing state (as of repair, efficiency, or validity) : preserve from failure or decline <maintain machinery>

2

: to sustain against opposition or danger : uphold and defend <maintain a position>

3

: to continue or persevere in : carry on, keep up <couldn't maintain his composure>

4

a : to support or provide for <has a family to maintain>

b : sustain <enough food to maintain life>

5

: to affirm in or as if in argument : assert <maintained that the earth is flat>

— main·tain·abil·i·ty \-ˌtā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— main·tain·able \-ˈtā-nə-bəl\ adjective

— main·tain·er noun

Examples of MAINTAIN

1. They have always maintained high standards of professional conduct.
2. He has found it difficult to maintain a healthy weight.
3. The company has done a poor job of maintaining its computer network.
4. It was obvious that the house had been poorly maintained.
5. She was finding it hard to maintain her balance.
6. She still maintains a close relationship with her college roommate.
7. It's difficult to maintain a correspondence when we're both so busy.
8. The pilot was struggling to maintain control of the aircraft.
9. The police say that they will do whatever is necessary to maintain law and order.

Origin of MAINTAIN

Middle English mainteinen, from Anglo-French maintenir, maynteiner, from Medieval Latin manutenēre, from Latin manu tenēre to hold in the hand

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to MAINTAIN

Synonyms

conserve, keep up, preserve, save

Antonyms

deny, gainsay

Related Words

service; support, sustain; care (for), husband, manage; defend, guard, protect, safeguard, screen, shield; cure, fix, heal, remedy; mend, patch, rebuild, reconstruct, rehabilitate, rejuvenate, restore

Near Antonyms

disregard, ignore, neglect; break, damage, destroy, harm, hurt, impair, injure, ruin, wreck

Synonym Discussion of MAINTAIN

maintain, assert, defend, vindicate, justify mean to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable. maintain stresses firmness of conviction <steadfastly maintained his innocence>. assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim <asserted her rights>. defend implies maintaining in the face of attack or criticism <defended his voting record>. vindicate implies successfully defending <his success vindicated our faith in him>. justify implies showing to be true, just, or valid by appeal to a standard or to precedent <the action was used to justify military intervention>.