sustainable

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adjective sus·tain·able \sə-ˈstā-nə-bəl\

: able to be used without being completely used up or destroyed

: involving methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources

: able to last or continue for a long time

Full Definition of SUSTAINABLE

1

:  capable of being sustained

2

a :  of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged <sustainable techniques> <sustainable agriculture>

b :  of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods <sustainable society>

— sus·tain·abil·i·ty \-ˌstā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— sus·tain·ably \-ˈstā-nə-blē\ adverb

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Examples of SUSTAINABLE

1. <a line of argument that is probably not sustainable in a public forum against skilled debaters>
2. <has no sustainable claim to the property without a deed or some other document>

First Known Use of SUSTAINABLE

circa 1727

Related to SUSTAINABLE

Synonyms

defendable, defensible, justifiable, maintainable, supportable, tenable

Antonyms

indefensible, insupportable, unjustifiable, unsustainable, untenable

Related Words

rational, reasonable, sensible, well-grounded; acceptable, admissible, allowable, exceptionable, legitimate, passable, unobjectionable, viable, warrantable; confirmable, provable, verifiable; explainable, explicable

Near Antonyms

absurd, illogical, irrational, ridiculous, unsound; extreme, outrageous, unreasonable; groundless, objectionable, unacceptable, unfounded; inexplicable, unexplainable

Other Ecology Terms

Malthusian, anthropogenic, biomass, carbon footprint, crepuscular, niche, sere, symbiosis, taiga, tundra

Rhymes with SUSTAINABLE

attainable, containable, distrainable, explainable, maintainable, obtainable, restrainable, retrainable