sustain 1 of 2

Definition of sustainnext

sustained

2 of 2

verb (2)

past tense of sustain
1
2
as in experienced
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it sustained serious injuries in the car crash

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in bolstered
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
Verb
Addressing these issues directly affects whether patients receive timely treatment, whether physicians remain in practice and whether trust in the health care system is sustained. Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026 But if high oil prices are sustained for even three or four months, consumers can expect to pay higher prices for potentially another year or two, Foudy added. Julian Torres, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
That sustained, increasingly ambitious activity will mark a big difference from the Apollo days. Mike Wall, Space.com, 1 Apr. 2026 The driver of the Toyota sustained moderate injuries, and an elderly passenger in the Honda also had complaints of pain, the spokesperson said. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sustain

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on sustain

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster