1
as in preserving
to keep in good condition
he repairs and maintains antique cars as a hobby
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in defending
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in keeping
to pay the living expenses of
we simply cannot afford to maintain a horse
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in arguing
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in insisting
to state as a fact usually forcefully
he maintains that there is indeed hard evidence for extraterrestrial visitors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 maintaining
The Basij, a paramilitary volunteer militia under the umbrella of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is tasked with maintaining societal control.
—
Robert Stewart, The Washington Examiner, 8 Mar. 2026
Since inflammation is linked to common concerns like acne, rosacea, and eczema, maintaining healthy levels could play a small role in keeping skin looking more even and less irritated.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 7 Mar. 2026
This gives them the ability to focus less on short-term financial constraints, and more on building and maintaining generational returns.
—Belinda G. Schwartz, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026
Plants that tolerate mowing and still produce flowers will perform well in lawns while maintaining a desirable appearance.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
While local officials in East Windsor initially welcomed the project in 2020, many residents and neighbors soon began raising concerns about preserving local farmland and maintaining the value of their property.
—Mikayla Bunnell, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
These natural textures bring a fresh feel while maintaining that versatile, goes-with-anything quality.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 7 Mar. 2026
For example, it's involved in regulating organ systems, maintaining immunity and metabolism, and ensuring the function of hormones and neurotransmitters, Pasquariello says.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 7 Mar. 2026
If Powell really drops below the point of producing power in the next few years, releasing water only through the bypass tubes could complicate not just maintaining a healthy river for Grand Canyon but delivering enough water to Lake Mead and the millions of users downstream.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 28 Feb. 2026
Robert Stewart, The Washington Examiner, 8 Mar. 2026
Since inflammation is linked to common concerns like acne, rosacea, and eczema, maintaining healthy levels could play a small role in keeping skin looking more even and less irritated.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 7 Mar. 2026
This gives them the ability to focus less on short-term financial constraints, and more on building and maintaining generational returns.
—Belinda G. Schwartz, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026
Plants that tolerate mowing and still produce flowers will perform well in lawns while maintaining a desirable appearance.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
While local officials in East Windsor initially welcomed the project in 2020, many residents and neighbors soon began raising concerns about preserving local farmland and maintaining the value of their property.
—Mikayla Bunnell, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
These natural textures bring a fresh feel while maintaining that versatile, goes-with-anything quality.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 7 Mar. 2026
For example, it's involved in regulating organ systems, maintaining immunity and metabolism, and ensuring the function of hormones and neurotransmitters, Pasquariello says.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 7 Mar. 2026
If Powell really drops below the point of producing power in the next few years, releasing water only through the bypass tubes could complicate not just maintaining a healthy river for Grand Canyon but delivering enough water to Lake Mead and the millions of users downstream.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 28 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maintaining
Verb
-
But Idaho’s defense came up big, preserving the title.—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The Gettysburg National Military Park encompasses nearly 6,000 acres of land, preserving the site of the Battle of Gettysburg.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Inter Miami earned a bye as defending MLS champion.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The defending champions were relentless.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Their structure allows liquids containing potential analytes to move freely through the gel while keeping bacteria trapped inside the material.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
-
But the fact that employees still showed up, including without pay during last year’s federal government shutdown, demonstrates their commitment to keeping the beloved parks flourishing.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Staci Visser, an attorney for Robinson, told the judge before the ruling that the defense is not arguing in the court of public opinion.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Every Democrat in the Colorado General Assembly — both in the state senate and the state house — signed a letter to the governor arguing that sentence forgiveness should be reserved for people who take responsibility for their actions.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Now, Jordan is insisting that Dakota be invited on the group trip to Los Angeles, despite Dakota having no legitimate reason to be there.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
-
But advocates for a Connecticut child tax credit aren’t the only ones insisting affordability has become an issue here.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
History finally catches up to the present in The Secret Agent’s final scene, when one of the women tasked with conserving Armando’s testimonies tracks down his now-adult son, Fernando (also played by Moura), to learn more about his family history.—
Michael Snyder,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Groundcovers also help the garden by shading the soil, conserving moisture, and preventing erosion.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Neither the warrant nor the underlying affidavit justifying the warrant has been released.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
What’s old is new Third spaces have evolved to encompass specific purposes, justifying the price tag that often comes with them, since some membership clubs can thousands of dollars per month.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
No, the actor, now 27 and recognized in the best supporting actress category for her sensitive turn in Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, has actually—wait for it—already been working for a quarter of a century.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
8 Mar. 2026
-
From cushioned walking sneakers to sleek slip-ons and foldable flats, the brand boasts arch-supporting insoles enhanced with anti-odor technology to keep feet feeling fresh and comfortable all day long.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maintaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maintaining. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
