sustain

verb

sə-ˈstān How to pronounce sustain (audio)
Definition of sustainnext
1
as in to nurture
to supply with nourishment a granola bar should sustain you long enough to last until lunch

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2
as in to undergo
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it sustained serious injuries in the car crash

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3
as in to endure
to put up with (something painful or difficult) I won't sustain such insolence!

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to carry
to hold up or serve as a foundation for that old chair won't sustain your weight

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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 sustain Because the liquid controls temperatures effectively, the battery can sustain a continuous 3C discharge rate. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026 Though technically operating as an independent nonprofit, the museum is largely sustained with government funding from the city, state, and the Colombian Ministry of Culture. — Kim Córdova, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026 Whether this new financing model can be sustained remains to be seen. — CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026 Other sustaining injuries were linebacker Nick Martin (stinger) and safety Marques Sigle (oblique); cornerback Nate Hobbs did not play because of a groin injury that will keep him out this preseason. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sustain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustain
  1. nurture
  2. undergo
  3. endure
  4. carry
  5. satisfy
  6. experience
  7. tolerate
  8. support
Verb
  • Jaissle desires an on-field lieutenant in midfield who can provide a calm head and help guide and nurture the younger players around him.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Alongside his brother Éric, Nicolas was a leading figure in French cinema — and the broader audiovisual industry — a passionate producer who discovered and nurtured some of our greatest talents, and a loyal partner of @canalplus.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of nurture
Verb
  • The defense has high-end talent and depth at most spots after undergoing a massive overhaul last season.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The Spartans’ cornerback room is undergoing a reset, with just four returners who have limited starting experience and welcoming five transfers to the group, making for a crucial competition at camp.
    — Niles Hall, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of undergo
Verb
  • Cedars-Sinai apologized for any inconvenience Marina del Rey residents endured after the hospital's construction project caused a putrid odor to spread through the coastal neighborhood.
    — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Iran still strikes at tankers, and expects some form of control over the strait to endure even after a diplomatic settlement.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of endure
Verb
  • Prime Air is currently testing a new drone delivery mechanism that could enable it to carry a wider assortment of products, like fragile cartons of eggs or other perishables, Carbon said.
    — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The project now moves into a phase where engineering, construction and workforce development will carry as much importance as diplomacy.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of carry
Verb
  • Spurred by tech giants’ insatiable appetite for computing power to dominate frontier models, the unprecedented global expansion of AI infrastructure has created demand so enormous that no single country can satisfy it.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The bottom line Creditors may ultimately be paid from the value of a deceased person's home in certain circumstances, and an estate may need to sell the property if there aren't enough other assets to satisfy valid claims.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of satisfy
Verb
  • The grief Sophie’s family has experienced is similar to post-traumatic stress, DeLeon notes, and feeling unheard or betrayed by law enforcement can only compound those emotions.
    — Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Real Madrid have experienced success signing players from Levante.
    — Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of experience
Verb
  • Although the supplements are generally well tolerated, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, are allergic to ferns, or are taking other medications—particularly immune-modulating ones—may not be good candidates, Nazarian said.
    — Kristen Fischer, HEALTH, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Those with sensitive skin should proceed with caution when using the two ingredients together, as the combination may be too much for their skin to tolerate.
    — Kelsey Stewart, Allure, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of tolerate
Verb
  • That ability is probably there for just about every retailer, even the tiniest ones, according to Linda Toth, executive director of Conexxus, an industry technology group that supports convenience stores and gas stations.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The distinctive frame already resembles the aircraft that will eventually soar through Titan’s dense orange skies, complete with landing skids, support arms for its eight rotors and the housing for its nuclear power system.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of support

Browse Nearby Words

suspiring
sustain
sustainable
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Cite this Entry

“Sustain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustain. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of sustain for Spanish Speakers

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