sustains

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 requires attacking the system that sustains Russian forces—not just the armies on the front lines. David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 What starts as a series that aims to subvert the heist genre at every turn – amped with thrilling life-or-death stakes, family dynamics, and explosive action – gives birth to an exploration of what drives us, sustains us, and ultimately destroys us. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 June 2026 The platform sustains itself through foreign exchange margins and standard transaction fees. Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 June 2026 The addition of glycerin in Matkas’s serum sustains the formula’s quenching effects. Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 21 June 2026 The push out of their respective comfort zones is sweaty, arduous, and, the series suggests, exactly the kind of exertion that sustains a relationship. Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 Pascale’s cello generally swoops and sustains while Katzmann’s saxophone jitters in search. Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 11 June 2026 Health departments around the country are now grappling with sudden cuts to the federal funding that sustains their health data collection and health promotion activities. Candice Johnson, The Conversation, 10 June 2026 Feeding the orbs To test how LiPfe sustains itself, Jobson’s team exposed its explants to isotopically labeled amino acids and ammonium. Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustains
Verb
  • The advent of artificial intelligence is giving a new shine to a liberal arts education, which career experts say nurtures the skills valued by employers as AI increasingly changes the workplace.
    Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 12 June 2026
  • The song references having a safe space to express yourself and that is what Pride represents - a community that protects and nurtures its own.
    Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • The uranium used in nuclear fuel undergoes an enrichment process to increase the levels of the more radioactive U-235 form.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 29 June 2026
  • The trailer teases Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the titular creature, who undergoes an intense transformation that leaves the townspeople terrified.
    Tanya Fedak, Variety, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Unlike Isabelle in the film, who endures years of illness before her death, her sister is alive and well.
    Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • Fortune’s journey to this point is a bit like the odyssey that the main character in his feature endures over the course of a day in Atlanta.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • In turn, sleep quality, which physical conditioning directly supports, governs how effectively a leader's prefrontal cortex manages complex trade-offs and scenarios under pressure.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 24 June 2026
  • The decision supports renewal of the project’s Source Materials License for another 20 years, leaving a safety evaluation as the final major review before the license can move forward.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • That agreement should spell out the settlement amount, the payment deadline and provide explicit confirmation that the payment satisfies the debt in full.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 29 June 2026
  • By letting companies digitally tag and incorporate this general repository by reference, the SEC satisfies their legal cautionary obligations.
    Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • The patient experiences a system in which the doctor’s recommendation is not always enough.
    Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • The storms, Mekkhala and Higos, have dumped heavy rain and damaged roads as Japan experiences its annual rainy season.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Native to the Southeast and hardy in USDA Zones 7-11, Southern wax myrtle tolerates salt, wind, and wet soils providing an excellent option for coastal gardens.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 June 2026
  • During periods of uncertainty, teams watch what the culture rewards, tolerates, and repeats.
    Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • While the list carries few immediate legal repercussions, it’s widely considered a red flag to investors that can precede more punitive trade restrictions.
    Angela Cullen, Fortune, 27 June 2026
  • Each of the offenses carries a maximum of 20 years in prison.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sustains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustains. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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