maintain

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as in to keep
to pay the living expenses of we simply cannot afford to maintain a horse

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb maintain differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of maintain are assert, defend, justify, and vindicate. While all these words mean "to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable," maintain stresses firmness of conviction.

steadfastly maintained his innocence

When would assert be a good substitute for maintain?

Although the words assert and maintain have much in common, assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim.

asserted her rights

When could defend be used to replace maintain?

In some situations, the words defend and maintain are roughly equivalent. However, defend implies maintaining in the face of attack or criticism.

defended his voting record

When is it sensible to use justify instead of maintain?

The words justify and maintain can be used in similar contexts, but 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

In what contexts can vindicate take the place of maintain?

The meanings of vindicate and maintain largely overlap; however, vindicate implies successfully defending.

his success vindicated our faith in him

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of maintain Side Sleepers generally do better with a softer to medium-firm mattress that contours to their body to relieve pressure on hips and shoulders and maintain spinal alignment. Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025 Bears could starve, groups maintained, and their populations could plummet again. Christine Peterson, Vox, 27 June 2025 Which is why one of Google’s top security brains has also urged all users to stop using their passwords, which are painful to maintain and prone to phishing attacks. Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025 The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for maintain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maintain
Verb
  • For Anthropic, the faster speed and lower cost of the destructive process appear to have trumped any need for preserving the physical books themselves.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 25 June 2025
  • That principle has served the UK’s economy and culture for over 300 years, evolving through numerous updates, including international agreements, and adapting to new technologies while preserving its core spirit.
    Virginie Berger, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The medium-to-long-range layer, David’s Sling, has replaced Patriot batteries supplied by the United States, defending against both aircraft, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic missiles using a missile called Stunner.
    Sebastien Roblin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Thanks to the oceans on either side of us, the frozen wasteland to the north, and a gentle behemoth to the south, no one thought much about having to defend our borders.
    Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Many kids want to keep playing at the park or in the pool, totally oblivious to the fact that their parents are desperate to sit in front of the AC for a few minutes.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 27 June 2025
  • The Supreme Court’s ruling kept Trump’s ban on hold for at least 30 days and sent a set of cases back to the lower courts to determine next steps.
    Nik Popli, Time, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Democrats, led by Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, had argued that in recent decades Congress gradually surrendered war-making powers to the president.
    Robert Jimison, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • His attorneys had argued that he was manipulated by Blanchard, a victim of Munchausen by proxy, to kill her mom and should have his charges reduced to second-degree murder, according to The Springfield News-Leader.
    Michael Nied, People.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Immediately after his death, Knight says Afeni, who died at age 60 in May 2016, turned to him and insisted her son be cremated, right then and there.
    Danielle Bacher, People.com, 1 July 2025
  • First, Disney insists on direct senior leadership involvement, recognizing that executives must work alongside their teams to separate genuine AI capabilities from marketing hype.
    Maribel Lopez, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Or perhaps, given his age and the need to conserve his minutes somewhat during the regular season, the Leafs could opt to use him in a more depth role.
    Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • This level of automation conserves resources, boosts accuracy and speed, facilitates early defect detection and improves platform quality, enhancing the customer experience.
    Prasad Banala, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • In our opinion, this favorable trend justifies an upward revision of its valuation multiple.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • The midfielder has arguably had to fight even harder to begin to justify the energy and expense required to bring him to Stamford Bridge two and a half years ago.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • The Fort Worth Independent School District is adopting a new phonics program that officials say will further support the district’s mission to turn around its stagnant academic performance and improve its literacy scores.
    Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2025
  • Trouble attracting young trade workers Farley, a proponent of growing U.S. manufacturing productivity to support the essential economy, has advocated for young workers to have strong trade experiences.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Maintain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maintain. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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