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

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

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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 There is no specific income requirement, but participants must demonstrate an ability to sustain themselves in the state. — Scott Neuman, NPR, 24 July 2026 The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, which received roughly 10% fewer complaints over than span, has sustained six racial bias allegations against deputies. — Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 Rather than accumulating treasure, they are believed to safeguard natural forces that sustain life and ensure abundant harvests. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026 Visibility gained from celebrity supporters has helped sustain the group, Alviar Horton said. — ABC News, 24 July 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
  • Ultimately, leading authentically is a powerful asset, enabling a life aligned with one's vision and building deep trust, beginning with introspection and self-nurturing.
    — ByKaren R. McDaniel, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Lassally won two Emmy awards over the years, while discovering and nurturing multiple generations of talent.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 20 July 2026
Definition of nurture
Verb
  • America's nuclear power landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation, driven by the immense energy needs of artificial intelligence.
    — Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • The remains, which were found face down, are set to undergo radiocarbon dating to determine their age.
    — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026
Definition of undergo
Verb
  • Despite Venezuela’s petroleum-rich reserves, its citizens have endured extreme poverty, food insecurity and political instability for decades.
    — Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • If Republicans pressed ahead with a potpourri of government spending to shore up shuttered agencies, vulnerable incumbents would have to endure two unlimited Senate vote-a-ramas.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of endure
Verb
  • That was part of his wider goal of sending endless waves of bomb-carrying drones and robots to hit Russian encampments in a bid to sharply reduce Ukraine’s casualties.
    — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • The port of entry handled $126 billion in trade carried by commercial trucks in 2023, Reuters reported.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of carry
Verb
  • Dunphy said there are valid examples of how the Moda renovations could satisfy using the fund.
    — Jason Quick, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • In the United Kingdom, Rumours alone is not enough to satisfy listeners’ demand.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of satisfy
Verb
  • Some parents are also experiencing delays in receiving the initial $1,000.
    — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • The park’s lake, Lake Allaman, is currently experiencing a harmful algae bloom.
    — Zuri Primos July 26, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
Definition of experience
Verb
  • The Steamfitters were staging protests outside the Pfizer site, accusing the MetroLoft — which employs a mix of union and nonunion contractors — of building on the cheap and tolerating unsafe work conditions.
    — Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026
  • The remaining mainstream buyers, who are far more price-sensitive and less willing to tolerate the inconveniences of electric vehicles, aren’t gobbling up the technology.
    — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of tolerate
Verb
  • The engine already supports several missile applications, with Pratt & Whitney delivering more than 2,700 units to customers worldwide.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026
  • Sinking land and rising tides Despite the enthusiasm for building Miami higher, the question remains whether the city can quite literally support it.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 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 28 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of sustain for Spanish Speakers

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