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

Establishing and nurturing a robust professional relationship map—comprising sponsors, mentors, allies and followers—enhances professional impact and reputation, both critical to accessing new opportunities.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Children’s imaginations and intellect should be nurtured rather than broken.

— Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of nurture

Verb

That oil can then undergo further processing and hydrotreatment to produce SAF.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Thompson served as a guest judge that season while Cowell, who underwent a six-hour surgery that included the placement of a metal rod in his back, recovered.

— Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of undergo

Verb

When combined with a hot blanket of the humidity the city has endured throughout the summer, players could be forced to withdraw from their matches or push through, risking injury.

— Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
The biggest wild card is a secret Sunday world premiere with major names promised, underscoring the festival’s enduring appeal as a place where discoveries can happen.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of endure

Verb

Developers must also satisfy nuclear cybersecurity rules, Department of War authorization requirements and protections for operational technology and industrial control systems.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
The kind of dessert that satisfies your craving, but doesn’t taste too sickly sweet.

— George Yang, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of satisfy

Verb

So a manufacturer’s willingness to tolerate those costs is often determined by what the law requires.

— Alison J. Stein, HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026
The 130-micrometer polystyrene films came through untouched because spreading the same voltage across ten times the distance drops the field below what the material can tolerate.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of tolerate

Verb

Our team of Victim Advocates are supporting those involved in what happened today.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Easley said a community gathering organized in support of the brewery on Saturday drew a large crowd, with some of the drag brunch’s vendors and a food truck showing up to support the brewery.

— Evan Moore August 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of support

Browse Nearby Words

suspiring

sustain

sustainable

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Sustain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustain. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sustain

verb

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