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 An incarcerated man died from injuries sustained in an assault that happened in a Boise-area prison this week, according to a statement shared on social media by the Idaho Department of Correction. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 2026 The broken rib indicates that Scotty likely succumbed to injuries sustained during a dinosaur brawl. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026 The company is responsible for importing special equipment and spare parts needed to sustain Cuba’s crumbling power grid. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 It's been a tough go for both squads in sustaining drives and cashing in with points. — AJC.com, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sustain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustain

Verb

Although security needs to be nurtured year-round, the High Holidays offer a timely reason to review these best practices and improve the habits that keep our organizations safe in the weeks ahead and throughout the year.

— Richard Priem, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026
Steinem has encouraged generations to nurture their relationships and build community.

— Sara Noelle Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of nurture

Verb

Under suitable heat and processing conditions, parts of this network can undergo bond-exchange reactions, allowing the network to rearrange rather than remaining permanently locked in one configuration.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2026
For all his exposure to high-level competition while growing up in Southern California and playing for Team USA, Crow-Armstrong was still only 21, acclimating to the speed of the game and trying to fit into a team undergoing a late-season collapse.

— Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of undergo

Verb

West Virginia’s Cam Cook — the nation’s leading rusher last season — is the only other running back with 30 carries in a game this year.

— The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
The biggest aircraft in the fleet, Boeing’s 767-300F, typically carries about 116,000 lbs.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of carry

Verb

To satisfy its voracity for billions of pages, Anthropic started out by placing mass orders with wholesalers, before turning to individual and secondhand booksellers to help fill in the gaps.

— Francesca Mancino, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026
There are other ways to provide enrichment, like rotating toys every day to stimulate exploration, using puzzle feeder dishes to satisfy hunting behaviors and playing videos for your cat showing birds or fish.

— Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of satisfy

Verb

The sting of the title-game loss will remain, but a little reminder from the past — directly from the players who experienced it — certainly has the chance to leave a lasting impact for the future.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
Since the assault, the woman has experienced post-traumatic stress disorder, severe anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of experience

Verb

Whittingham demands toughness, doesn’t tolerate any foolishness and rarely loses in a battle of wills.

— Austin Meek, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Aside from reactions at the injection side, tozorakimab was well-tolerated without any significant side effects reported, according to AstraZeneca.

— Dr. Jennifer Miao, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of tolerate

Verb

If the folks in charge really fixed the offensive line, maybe new coach Todd Monken’s offense can create big plays and support a defense that still has top talent.

— Zac Jackson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The documentary is narrated by actor Gary Sinise, whose own direction in life was profoundly affected by the attacks and ultimately inspired the creation of his foundation to support veterans, first responders, and their families.

— Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of support

Browse Nearby Words

suspiring

sustain

sustainable

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“Sustain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustain. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sustain

verb

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