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 Police said both the teen and Childers sustained non-life-threatening minor to moderate injuries in the crash. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026 And starting right tackle Matt McCoy sustained what looked like a pretty significant shoulder injury against Clemson, but like Buchanan returned to finish the game. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026 Isaias has sustained winds of 45 mph and is over 500 miles south-southwest of far southeast Louisiana. — Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026 Something that died but will not stay dead, that sustains itself by feeding on the living and destroying them in turn. — Literary Hub, 7 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
  • An ammunition depot was hit, as were a bulk carrier in the Chornomorsk port carrying dual-use goods and port infrastructure in Izmail, the ministry said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • As the hundreds of thousands of people made their way down the narrow roads following the politician, a few rerouted into the industry event, still carrying big flags and with faces lit up with hope.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 7 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
  • Nathan is offended and starts going on his usual rant about not tolerating disrespect toward his family.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Coaches are supposed to tell their players every season that hazing is wrong and won’t be tolerated.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 5 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 12 Oct. 2026.

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