SUSTAIN Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

sustain

verb

sə-ˈstān

Definition of sustain

as in to nurture

to supply with nourishment a granola bar should sustain you long enough to last until lunch

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to undergo

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to endure

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to carry

to hold up or serve as a foundation for that old chair won't sustain your weight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 The Horn of Africa cannot sustain another military conflict and humanitarian crisis. — Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Both stocks have rallied in 2026, with Dell up more than 350% and HPE soaring 185%, but analysts at the bank are doubtful the gains can be sustained much longer. — Davis Giangiulio,darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 With Dru Smith sidelined by a calf strain sustained during training camp, Larsson had wound up taking repetitions at point guard, including during that preseason-opening victory over the Raptors. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026 Rivera was thrown into the base of a highway plaza sign, sustaining fatal injuries, and was pronounced dead at the scene, state police said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sustain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustain

Verb

Parking was no more than $5 — that would be $10 today, after inflation — and the Dodgers nurtured the next generation of fans by offering free tickets to A students and a kids’ fan club that included six tickets for $2.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Brandon is looking for a nurturing family that can provide him with a sense of understanding and support.

— The Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of nurture

Verb

Desperate to get that handsome life back, Hagen undergoes an experimental procedure at the hands of a scientist (Naomi Ackie) that initially works only to give way to a scary new reality with shape-shifting skin.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
Lung adenocarcinoma, the type of lung cancer that the pope underwent treatment for, is the most common type of lung cancer and a serious illness.

— Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of undergo

Verb

The film explores the contradictions of a Bulgarian town pulled into Europe’s shifting geopolitical order, where arms production for Ukraine’s frontlines collides with enduring ties to Russia, personal convictions, and the everyday need to survive.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
The enduring lesson of Reykjavík is not simply about nuclear weapons or diplomacy.

— Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of endure

Verb

Here are 16 satisfying activities and rituals to add to your fall bucket list.

— Clare Marie Schneider, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026
Unlike quiches, frittatas are crustless, but this version doesn’t skimp on satisfying carbs, thanks to coils of spaghetti that become crisp and caramelized on the edges and soft and fluffy in the eggy center.

— Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of satisfy

Verb

Thanks to their actions, their teacher survived, and is one of approximately 350,000 Americans who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year.

— Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
The opening of the III Points fest sounded a sour note for thousands of fans who poured into Wynwood for a weekend of music only to experience ticketing issues, delays and chaos among the crowd.

— Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of experience

Verb

Related Stories Lee says the film grew out of the small and large injustices people tolerate every day to avoid a fight.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Scientists have long marveled at how the human body tolerates extreme heat — and what that means for our health.

— Will Stone, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of tolerate

Verb

The ban had been imposed by the central elections committee, a political body dominated by Netanyahu allies, on the basis that the parties supported armed struggle against Israel.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026
For a government overseeing a population dominated by mobile expats, that created a lot of uncertainty in terms of establishing an economic base that can support a welfare system and basic state infrastructure.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of support

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suspiring

sustain

sustainable

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Style

“Sustain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustain. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sustain

verb

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