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 Executives who celebrate small successes, highlight early adopters, and reinforce the non-negotiable nature of change establish credibility that sustains engagement long after the launch window has closed. Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025 At high elevations, cold air turns heavy monsoon precipitation into snowfall that sustains the ice. Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025 The corrosive idea that evil happens out there is what sustains our indifference. Seema Jilani august 29, Literary Hub, 29 Aug. 2025 Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers sustains an injury during the first quarter as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder checks on him in Game Seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 22, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025 The latest installment, Fast X (2023), sustains that focus while steering the series back to its roots. EW.com, 24 Aug. 2025 Who plays left tackle if Patrick Paul sustains an injury? Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2025 Their work sustains Orlando’s reputation as a world-class destination while protecting the hundreds of thousands of tourism jobs that are the backbone of our community. Ed Gilbert, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025 This strategic approach effectively gains and sustains ongoing interaction. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustains
Verb
  • Knowing how to reach each player individually nurtures a connection between coach and player and over time contributes positively to team performance.
    John Baldoni, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Spade said companies like Recompose use a process that mimics the natural process of plant decomposition, where plants biodegrade to become topsoil that then nurtures new life.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Back at SeaWorld, Labor Day weekend marked the last performances in the Dolphin Amphitheater until early 2026, as the stadium undergoes a renovation.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
  • People looking to support Avenue Grill as the restaurant undergoes reparations can keep the business in their prayers and stay connected via social media, such as Facebook and Instagram, for updates on reopening, according to a statement by Avenue Grill sent to the Free Press.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The city's long-standing commitment to sustainable mobility endures even after last year's Olympics, where every event was easily accessible on foot, by bike, or by public transport.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • What endures is curiosity and, at least in this film, a lasting sense of wonder.
    Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In addition to the men’s side, Matt Hargreaves, the club’s director of football negotiations, also significantly supports recruitment in the women’s team.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The Future Hybrid System features a pre-chamber ignition and supports gasoline, E85 ethanol, M100 methanol, and synthetic fuels, with market introduction targeted for 2027.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In an era where greenwashing is easily exposed and surface-level philanthropy no longer satisfies stakeholders, the search for meaningful CSR programs is more urgent than ever.
    Sivan Yaari, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • More files are due to be released as the DOJ satisfies a subpoena deadline of September 8.
    Peter Vanham, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • While most earthquakes are moderate in strength and cause little damage, tremors are frequent, and the country experiences thousands of small quakes each year.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Like Earth, Jupiter experiences brilliant auroras around its poles — but something funky happens with Jupiter's Galilean moons that doesn't happen with our own satellite.
    Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Calendula tolerates a light frost but not hard freezes.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Felicia tolerates other cats but would probably be better as the only fur baby in a home.
    Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In addition to Riley’s output, Gaines had 98 yards on 14 carries, and Sherrod had 42 yards on just seven rushes.
    Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Keondre Dixon ran for a pair of scores and had a team-high 13 carries.
    Cody Thorn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sustains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustains. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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