sustained

adjective

sus·​tained sə-ˈstānd 

: maintained at length without interruption or weakening : lasting, prolonged

sustained winds

providing sustained support

sustained applause

sustained flight

They can run at sustained speeds of up to 19 mph for considerable distances, and usually only make short flights in order to escape danger or flush prey.

—Marcy Scott

This degenerative disorder is theoretically caused by excessive and sustained forces of compression.

—Tracy A. Turner

Examples of sustained in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Inland areas are likely to see breezy conditions, with sustained winds 15 to 20 mph and gusts above 30 mph. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025

The hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, is moving to the west-northwest at 13 mph. —Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025

Hurricane status for Imelda, meaning maximum sustained winds of 74-95 mph, is predicted late Monday or early Tuesday. —Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 27 Sep. 2025

Many voters blamed Democratic policies—including stimulus spending—for sustained, high costs, exit polls found. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sustained

• self-sustained
• sustained-release
• sustained yield

Rhymes for sustained

• appertained
• ascertained
• entertained
• overstrained
• preordained
• unconstrained
• unexplained
• unrestrained
• abstained
• arraigned
• attained
• bloodstained