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

Sonoma State University political science professor David McCuan said the open-seat contest has drawn a rush of candidates but few have been able to build sustained momentum, with many polling in the single digits. —Grace Hase, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026

What once looked like a cyclical upswing now resembles a sustained re-rating of gold's place in the global financial system. —Sharon Wu, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026

As Hyatt notes, however, sustained growth would signal a stronger long-term outlook. —Editorial, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026

Widespread and sustained internet outages have been reported across the country amid the deepening protests and reported government crackdown. —David Brennan, ABC News, 12 Jan. 2026

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