as in support
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in nurturing
to supply with nourishment
a granola bar should sustain you long enough to last until lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in experiencing
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it
sustained serious injuries in the car crash
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in enduring
to put up with (something painful or difficult)
I won't sustain such insolence!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in supporting
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
that old chair won't sustain your weight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sustaining
Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, the brand plans to expand to 130 stores globally, sustaining growth across Asia, Europe, and the United States.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 12 Jan. 2026
Adams, playing for the first time since sustaining a hamstring injury in Week 15, caught five passes for 72 yards.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
And so Lagos remains a vortex of energy, pulling in the aspiring and the curious, while somehow sustaining its longtime inhabitants.
—Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
The trend resulted in her daughter sustaining second-degree burns on 45% to 50% of her face, as well as severe injuries to her hands.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Rebuilding an economy over rebuilding centrifuges or sustaining criminal enterprises.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Meléndez’s trajectory reflects the deep militarization of Venezuela’s civilian institutions and the central role the armed forces play in sustaining Chavista rule.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Zumpano agrees that these devices can be great for making and sustaining positive changes.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
His focus will remain firmly on sustaining this level to help Villa achieve their lofty ambitions.
—Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, the brand plans to expand to 130 stores globally, sustaining growth across Asia, Europe, and the United States.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 12 Jan. 2026
Adams, playing for the first time since sustaining a hamstring injury in Week 15, caught five passes for 72 yards.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
And so Lagos remains a vortex of energy, pulling in the aspiring and the curious, while somehow sustaining its longtime inhabitants.
—Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
The trend resulted in her daughter sustaining second-degree burns on 45% to 50% of her face, as well as severe injuries to her hands.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Rebuilding an economy over rebuilding centrifuges or sustaining criminal enterprises.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Meléndez’s trajectory reflects the deep militarization of Venezuela’s civilian institutions and the central role the armed forces play in sustaining Chavista rule.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Zumpano agrees that these devices can be great for making and sustaining positive changes.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustaining
Noun
-
The gentle support helps keep legs from feeling heavy after hours of sitting, walking, and moving between destinations.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The organization was founded to break the stigma around mental health and create a space for support, conversation, and creative expression.—
Nicole Nielsen,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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To celebrate his 35-year tenure at the school — and its nurturing community of musicians — Schick will will open a four-month, four-concert series at the campus on Wednesday with help from some very distinguished colleagues.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Hurzeler has been nurturing his talent, giving Kostoulas time to adapt before thrusting him into the spotlight.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Weak shaking has been recorded and several residents reported experiencing the tremor in Ridgecrest and the surrounding area according to the USGS DYFI report.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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Additionally, people with IBS and IBD are more sensitive to changes in fiber in their diet and may already be experiencing constipation and/or diarrhea, which are common side effects of juice cleanses.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Their enduring look and quality stand the test of time.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Johnson died on April 21, 2024 while in custody of the Tarrant County jail after being arrested within 48 hours prior, while enduring what his family says was a schizophrenic episode.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If your money wasn’t involved in supporting the Dallas Cowboys show, all of it may be funny, instead of just flat, sad, and a bad joke.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
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The companies said the robotaxi is designed to deliver a premium passenger experience while supporting large-scale autonomous deployment.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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What to Serve With Tortilla Soup This soup makes a satisfying meal on its own, especially when loaded with toppings.—
Martha Stewart,
Martha Stewart,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Starting with a focus on low-profile mechanical keyboards, the brand refined the balance between slim portability and satisfying key travel—an area long defined by compromise.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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To demonstrate the system’s capabilities, the research team, led by Huang Jiangtao of the China Aerodynamics Research and Development Centre, applied PADJ-X to conceptual configurations resembling the US Air Force’s B-21 stealth bomber, which is currently undergoing flight testing.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
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The throne eventually made its way to Axl Rose, who used it on tour with Guns N’ Roses, and later Old Dominion frontman Matthew Ramsey, who used it in 2019 after undergoing surgery on his leg.—
Rachel DeSantis,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The United States is apparently tolerating having Rodríguez in charge, for now.—
Mary Triny Mena,
CNN Money,
5 Jan. 2026
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Steering a flailing economy, presiding over Central America's highest homicide rate, and tolerating corruption in her own ranks Her party’s candidate, once the front-runner, trails in a distant third at 19 percent.—
Newsweek Editors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sustaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustaining. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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