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

Additional efficiency improvements and aerodynamics are expected to support comfort and stability during sustained high-speed travel. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 23 Nov. 2025

His claims that the economy is strong and prices lower are challenged by sustained or rising gas prices and higher grocery bills faced by his base in fly-over country. —Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 22 Nov. 2025

Artemis 2 is a foundational step toward establishing a sustained human presence on and around the moon. —Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 21 Nov. 2025

MPs voted to lift the moratorium last week, following a sustained push over the past year from President William Ruto’s government. —Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 21 Nov. 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