sustainable

adjective

sus·​tain·​able sə-ˈstā-nə-bəl How to pronounce sustainable (audio)
Synonyms of sustainablenext
1
: capable of being sustained
sustainable growth
a sustainable business model
And the ratings spike did not prove sustainable for the rest of the evening.Brian Steinberg
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
The study reflects a broadening search for more climate-friendly sustainable protein sources.Ashley Miznazi
b
: of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods
a sustainable society
a sustainable future
… the most sustainable garment is one that already exists.Angela Velasquez
sustainability noun
… several boards throughout the state that focus on green building and sustainability. Melissa Followell
sustainably adverb

Examples of sustainable in a Sentence

a line of argument that is probably not sustainable in a public forum against skilled debaters has no sustainable claim to the property without a deed or some other document
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
As the national debt rushes toward $39 trillion and Social Security and Medicare get nearer to insolvency with each tick of the clock, pressure mounts on the White House and Congress to craft a more sustainable path forward. Arkansas Online, 2 Mar. 2026 The ultimate goal of Artemis is to establish a permanent, sustainable human presence on and around the moon in the next five to 10 years. Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Feb. 2026 Empowering workers and supporting small businesses are crucial steps toward sustainable economic growth. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026 The idea was to leverage the property’s remote and pristine location, astounding views, access to a unique Nepali-Tibetan highland culture, and sustainable design principles to raise the bar for luxury trekking and experiential travel in Nepal – and the resulting refurbishment certainly delivers. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sustainable

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sustainable was in 1924

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sustainable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sustainable. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.

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