1
as in preserves
to keep in good condition
he repairs and maintains antique cars as a hobby
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2
as in defends
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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3
as in supports
to pay the living expenses of
we simply cannot afford to maintain a horse
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4
as in argues
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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5
as in insists
to state as a fact usually forcefully
he maintains that there is indeed hard evidence for extraterrestrial visitors
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Cite this Entry
“Maintains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maintains. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
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