as in support
Related Words
Relevance
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
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 sustaining
Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Sophia Rey, JSTOR Daily, 28 May 2026
Emotionally cornered and spiritually exhausted, Anatoly at last lets everything rupture to the surface, sustaining the anthem's climactic note for over 20 seconds.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
Civic Preparation Should Be Built Into Campus Life This type of work—which is integral to sustaining democracy—should be built into campus-wide core programming, not as a single course or a solo opt-in non-curricular activity.
—Rajiv Vinnakota, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Opening and sustaining a business in the immigrant, working-class neighborhood that raised him, paying homage to his parents’ legacy of entrepreneurship and capturing modern Pilsen through food is what fuels him.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Many more will launch their careers directly by entering the workforce, pursuing apprenticeships or mastering the skilled trades that are essential to building and sustaining our communities and economy.
—Howard Hepburn, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026
Sales have slowed in China, the biggest market, but exports are still rising, and manufacturers are betting on ultra-fast charging as a way of sustaining adoption momentum, Wood Mackenzie noted.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
Now, a new study suggests researchers may have found the first drug regimen capable of rapid and sustaining relief from suicidal thoughts across a broad group of patients.
—Ariana Eunjung Cha, Washington Post, 19 May 2026
It was later revealed that many of the facilities, while sustaining serious damage, were not destroyed.
—L. Sue Baugh, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 May 2026
Noun
These molecules could serve as the building blocks of more complex organic molecules, which are vital in the development and sustaining of life.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
Her hyperfocus on the leaf raises questions that extend far beyond the kitchen, inviting an inquiry into the banana plant’s movement across geographies and its role in sustaining cultural traditions.
—Sophia Rey, JSTOR Daily, 28 May 2026
Emotionally cornered and spiritually exhausted, Anatoly at last lets everything rupture to the surface, sustaining the anthem's climactic note for over 20 seconds.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
Civic Preparation Should Be Built Into Campus Life This type of work—which is integral to sustaining democracy—should be built into campus-wide core programming, not as a single course or a solo opt-in non-curricular activity.
—Rajiv Vinnakota, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Opening and sustaining a business in the immigrant, working-class neighborhood that raised him, paying homage to his parents’ legacy of entrepreneurship and capturing modern Pilsen through food is what fuels him.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Many more will launch their careers directly by entering the workforce, pursuing apprenticeships or mastering the skilled trades that are essential to building and sustaining our communities and economy.
—Howard Hepburn, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026
Sales have slowed in China, the biggest market, but exports are still rising, and manufacturers are betting on ultra-fast charging as a way of sustaining adoption momentum, Wood Mackenzie noted.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
Now, a new study suggests researchers may have found the first drug regimen capable of rapid and sustaining relief from suicidal thoughts across a broad group of patients.
—Ariana Eunjung Cha, Washington Post, 19 May 2026
It was later revealed that many of the facilities, while sustaining serious damage, were not destroyed.
—L. Sue Baugh, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustaining
Noun
-
Her agency offers various programs like caregiver support and meal services, along with opportunities to exercise the mind.—
Lauren Pastrana,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
Israel invaded Lebanon in March in pursuit of Hezbollah, which fired across the border in support of Tehran.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Venus and Jupiter align in nurturing Cancer on June 9, one of the sweeter transits of the year, bringing a collective focus on joy, intimacy, and the small moments worth savoring.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 May 2026
-
LinkedIn Is An Essential Career Success Tool Relationships are critical to career success, and LinkedIn is the most powerful digital platform for building and nurturing relationships.—
William Arruda,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
In this volume are all the wild, enthused lines, stoked for life’s daily mysteries, and all the tender elevations that we have been used to experiencing in the poetry of Eileen Myles!—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
-
Seoul felt different because the people the technology was designed to serve were in the room experiencing it firsthand.—
Bill Schiffmiller,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
And perhaps that’s part of her enduring allure; the search for the person behind the persona.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
-
Albert’s enduring influence on watch tastemakers extends well beyond the Oblique collection.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
While that is still a possibility, Breslow hasn’t interviewed any candidates and is right now focused on supporting Tracy.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
The resulting benefits supporting pregnancy care, fertility care, surrogacy, adoption, egg freezing and the like have gained in popularity and made significant impacts.—
Rachel Braun Scherl,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Light, refreshing, and summery, this elegant but satisfying shrimp salad is ready in minutes and can be made ahead and served chilled.—
Lizzy Briskin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 May 2026
-
The key to a sweaty-and-satisfying workout?—
Amina Ayoud,
Footwear News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The proposal is undergoing environmental review.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
-
The gang-fighting force soldiers have spent the past two weeks undergoing in-country training before launching operations on Monday.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Cooperative games like Uno, Go Fish, Sorry, or Chutes and Ladders help kids practice taking turns and tolerating frustration in a low-stakes environment.—
Parents,
Parents,
30 May 2026
-
And unfortunately, organizations often unintentionally create environments that discourage exploration and human connection by implicitly or explicitly rewarding competition, tolerating destructive behavior from high performers, and suppressing emotional expression in the name of performance.—
Laurel Donnellan,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sustaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustaining. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
