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
  • The difference could confuse beneficiaries, according to National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, a non-profit advocating to preserve and strengthen Social Security and Medicare.
    Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 7 July 2025
  • Effective legislation can preserve local control and ensure rigorous design standards, while also making sure that housing is built where it’s needed most.
    Laura Friedman, Oc Register, 7 July 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
  • Lorde keeps it casual in New York as she is seen outside of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on June 24.
    Grace Harrington, People.com, 27 June 2025
  • 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
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
  • The school board, backed by other parents, had argued that opt-out provisions were impractical.
    Nina Totenberg, NPR, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • Without an economic reason to sustain wildlife populations, they won’t be conserved long-term through benevolence alone.
    Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Keep up with watering and mulch to help conserve moisture.
    Janet B. Carson, Arkansas Online, 27 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
  • Adding native plants to existing garden beds is a simple way to boost curb appeal while supporting pollinators and improving soil health.
    Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • The social sector, including philanthropy and nonprofit providers, can support novel solutions and risk-taking, advocating for families, and providing direct services.
    Shelley Stewart III, Forbes.com, 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 11 Jul. 2025.

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