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 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
  1. nurture
  2. undergo
  3. endure
  4. carry
  5. satisfy
  6. experience
  7. tolerate
  8. support
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
  • The beach has been undergone significant coastal erosion in recent years and advocates say it could be hit hard this winter.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Last year, Mitchell played just 25 games before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of undergo
Verb
  • The Lincoln, which set a record for days in between ports of call, is the second carrier to endure an unusually long deployment to support the war against Iran and to receive the Presidential Unit Citation afterward.
    — Julie Watson, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The homecoming reignited controversy over conditions endured during the unusually long deployment and reports of multiple sailors attempting suicide.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of endure
Verb
  • Over the years the retailer has carried third-party denim in its stores such as Re/Done, A GoldE and Acne.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Funding arrangements should reflect who benefits and who carries the risk.
    — Hani Assi, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of carry
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
  • Newport Beach also declared a local emergency yesterday to free up resources ahead of the storm’s landfall, after experiencing significant coastal flooding overnight.
    — Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
  • This is a place to take a risk, to surrender, and at the very least, to experience something that can only happen for you in that moment — something altogether fleeting that is just yours.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 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
  • Research on hitting objects does not support it as a way to reduce anger, and there are too few studies of screaming to conclude its effects.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • These improvements are intended to help military forces transport larger loads more efficiently and support operational demands across a range of environments.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 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 15 Oct. 2026.

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