sustains

Definition of sustainsnext
present tense third-person singular of sustain
1
as in nurtures
to supply with nourishment a granola bar should sustain you long enough to last until lunch

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2
as in undergoes
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it sustained serious injuries in the car crash

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3
4
as in supports
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 sustains That’s how performance becomes ownership, success becomes sustainability and culture sustains the people who create it. Sandra Richards, Rolling Stone, 8 May 2026 The rest of Curaçao’s eclectic must-dive list includes reefs, underwater caves, sunken ships, cars, and even an airplane wreck, all with healthy coral growth that attracts and sustains marine life. Erik Trinidad, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2026 Akingbola plays astronaut Dr Henry Evans, in charge of the nuclear reactor that sustains life on the moon, while Fee plays astronaut Dr Declan McAllister, whose bullish demeanor puts him at loggerheads with Claire. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 May 2026 And over time, the workforce pipeline that sustains one of New York’s most important industries weakens. Lola W. Brabham, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026 University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Nancy Kuhajda will provide practice insights about how to identify pollinators, and Nana Koziol, a Chicago Botanic Garden instructor, will demonstrate how to create a garden that attracts and sustains pollinators. Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026 This is bad news for the river that sustains mainland Southeast Asia. Anton L. Delgado, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026 The district’s identity as both a destination and a neighborhood depends on striking a balance between entertainment vitality and the livability that sustains long-term commercial investment. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2026 By Michelle Edgar In a neighborhood often defined by its challenges, a different story is taking shape with the unveiling of a mural honoring unity, immigrant contributions and the unseen work that sustains Los Angeles. Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustains
Verb
  • That’s the true greatness of Free Comic Book Day, which now nurtures and expands upon the culture in which it was born.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Ultimately, leading with love or care in the workplace nurtures a culture of empathy, compassion, and authenticity, driving organizational success and fostering a sense of purpose and fulfillment among team members.
    Rebecca Ahmed, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Rojas undergoes radiation treatments at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Plantation.
    Lauren Pastrana, CBS News, 8 May 2026
  • Electricity undergoes multiple conversions, moving from high-voltage direct current into high-frequency magnetic fields before being captured and stabilized on board.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • Keep working in the Mideast, where wages are far higher, hoping that a shaky ceasefire endures; or return to already poor countries where prices have soared because of the conflict.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 May 2026
  • But what endures — what people carry with them long after the final out — is something quieter.
    Peter Folan, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • Take a few minutes to reset, then make one decision that supports both your stability and your peace moving forward.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The brand’s proprietary Alpha Keratin 60ku supports stronger, healthier hair right at the root, while soothing botanicals like rosemary, green tea, and rice extract keep irritation in check.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Earning at least $580 per month also satisfies the requirement.
    Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
  • Earning at least $580 a month also satisfies the requirement.
    Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Culinary experiences banking on fresh local ingredients and revisiting traditional Sardinian cuisine add to the holistic well-being ambitions of the retreat, which last year also unveiled a remodeling of five of its suites overlooking the sea or garden patio.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 8 May 2026
  • Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, said her staff experiences harassment and death threats.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • Food-grade silicone tolerates high and low temperatures well and works particularly well for batch cooking and freezer storage.
    Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
  • Catmint is a tough plant that tolerates many different conditions as long as the soil is well-draining.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 5 May 2026
Verb
  • And downtown on Michigan Avenue, Water Tower Place, once the anchor of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, carries its own laundry list of troubles after years of financial losses and the closure of several major tenants.
    Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
  • In Colorado, with its extreme weather swings, aging homes, and rising insurance landscape, that advice carries extra weight.
    Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 9 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sustains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustains. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

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