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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

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 Fulchers’ house, which was located in their park, sustained minor damage, but their relatives’ property, a couple hundred yards upstream, was destroyed. — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026 The turnaround is complete, and the goal now is sustaining it. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Instead of measuring how fast or far a user went during a run or bike ride, or metrics like calories burned, Cardio Effort measures how hard their cardiovascular system was working during exercise and how long that effort was sustained. — Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2026 Wood sustained the night’s momentum, and Barone killed it with fresh-from-the-notebook jokes that were like a darker version of McNally’s take on singlehood. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 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
  • If curious extraterrestrial visitors were to reconnoiter Earth, they might well be struck by a planet that nurtures such an inordinate number of chickens.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Thank you, Uncle Tim, for nurturing me in so many ways throughout my life.
    — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of nurture
Verb
  • The Bearcat football community came together to support her son, Sam Soto, a third-generation Arlington High student and football player undergoing cancer treatment.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The test will be whether the Student List can transition their popular mobilization in the streets into a viable political option that can win an election and govern a country that hasn’t undergone a political transition in over a decade.
    — Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of undergo
Verb
  • The Ukrainian capital endured a noisy night as 21 ballistic missiles came in three waves, Zelenskyy said, smashing apartment buildings, energy facilities, a railway station and the Kyiv subway system, shopping malls and businesses.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In the late ’70s and early ’80s, Lebanon endured an intense civil war.
    — Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of endure
Verb
  • During captive-carry testing, engineers can assess equipment carried by an aircraft before proceeding to more demanding flight demonstrations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • For airlines, the larger plane offers a way to carry more passengers on a single flight, potentially lowering costs per seat.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of carry
Verb
  • In true dump cake style, add all ingredients to create a pumpkin filling and top with boxed yellow cake mix and butter to create a warm, satisfying dessert that’s perfect for holidays and weeknights.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The salty bacon and fluffy eggs formed that classic breakfast flavor, while the potatoes added a satisfying heartiness without weighing the taco down.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of satisfy
Verb
  • Local leaders say the counties’ different histories, growth patterns and economic conditions help explain why residents may experience the region differently.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
  • As part of the diamond’s journey, members of the Udell family have traveled to Botswana to witness the cutting process firsthand, experience the history of the diamond’s origins and see the craftsmanship behind turning the stone into a rare diamond.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of experience
Verb
  • Other individuals simply need help learning to tolerate the discomfort of seeing trypophobic images.
    — Gabriela Galvin, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026
  • No more broken promises, rampant corruption, or tolerating an elite class living in luxury while the citizens are ignored.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of tolerate
Verb
  • More than 120 countries supported the resolution — only three voted against it — Argentina, Israel and the United States.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The organizers included activist Amy Sousa and commentator Brandi Kruse, who previously helped organize rallies supporting WNBA player Sophie Cunningham.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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