MAINTAIN Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

maintain

verb

mān-ˈtān

Definition of maintain

as in to preserve

to keep in good condition he repairs and maintains antique cars as a hobby

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to defend

to continue to declare to be true or proper despite opposition or objections part of debating is learning to maintain your position in the face of harsh challenges

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as in to keep

to pay the living expenses of we simply cannot afford to maintain a horse

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as in to argue

to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration she continued to maintain that a sewing machine would end up paying for itself since she could make her own clothes

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as in to insist

to state as a fact usually forcefully he maintains that there is indeed hard evidence for extraterrestrial visitors

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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 Windows, lamps, and other light sources impact how an image appears, and reducing reflections allows viewers to maintain a clearer view of the screen. — New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026 For most growing businesses, that price is better spent on the product itself than on infrastructure that a dedicated provider will always maintain more reliably. — Nick Chandi, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026 Probiotics may also help with digestion and maintaining a healthy balance of microorganisms in the gut. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026 Many Americans, coping with the high cost of living, are increasingly relying on credit cards to help maintain their spending. — Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for maintain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maintain

Verb

Make a case for reforming Social Security and Medicare to preserve it for current and future generations.

— Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
The consequence is that, even if these models successfully preserve literary materials that might otherwise be lost to time or foundering interest, the source will always remain in the shadows.

— Francesca Mancino, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of preserve

Verb

Inputs divided by outputs established a unit-cost baseline that CFOs could optimize, benchmark and defend to the board.

— Hemant Kapadia, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
The Late Show’s last hurrah now that CBS has pulled the plug, giving Colbert one last trophy for a show that won’t be around to defend it next year.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of defend

Verb

Organizations should treat security as the discipline that keeps the business running, with prevention as one of its tools rather than its purpose.

— Maman Ibrahim, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Bring an apple or two to a friend’s, give the whole box as a present, or keep every last piece for yourself.

— Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of keep

Verb

One controversial second of game clock later, Michigan fans were swarming the field to celebrate a Hail Mary that many impartial observers argued shouldn’t have happened.

— Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Gates argued that government and civil society need to move much more quickly.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of argue

Verb

The ruling insisted the defendants were not being tried because of their political views.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
In 2006, Wales insisted that their national anthem, ‘Land of Our Fathers’, should be the last thing performed before the game in Cardiff began.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of insist

Verb

The Italian Interior Ministry used that same threat to justify extending the border checks Tuesday.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
First-act setups extend through the majority of the 108-minute runtime, constituting a plotless meander without the aesthetic allure to justify such a languid journey.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of justify

Verb

If the folks in charge really fixed the offensive line, maybe new coach Todd Monken’s offense can create big plays and support a defense that still has top talent.

— Zac Jackson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The documentary is narrated by actor Gary Sinise, whose own direction in life was profoundly affected by the attacks and ultimately inspired the creation of his foundation to support veterans, first responders, and their families.

— Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of support

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“Maintain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maintain. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of maintain

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