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 Balle’s prose—repetitive, hypnotic, and as balanced as a small plane—sustains an atmosphere of illuminated ordinariness. Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025 This global circulation sustains the sun's magnetic field, but its polar regions, which are crucial to the process, have long remained a mystery. Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2025 The sulfur-rich stream, fed by natural springs and winds through the cavern, releases hydrogen sulfide that sustains this unexpected chain of life. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025 Cultural storytelling builds awareness; engagement sustains relevance, and strategic digital integration turns influence into sales. Li Jun, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2025 But what sustains this spirit is the tangible, down-to-earth life on the ground. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025 Providing the funding also safeguards the revenue and economic benefit that sustains rural communities around the park, state officials said. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2025 What sustains us is Julia Roberts and the cast. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025 The fantasy of endless space is what matters, a great chimeric promise, this production understands, that both sustains the nation and goes unfulfilled. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustains
Verb
  • Getting creative with my style nurtures the confidence that empowers me to show up in the world authentically.
    Essence, Essence, 24 Sep. 2025
  • The vegan lip treatment delivers intense moisture via a peptide that smoothes and plumps, as well as hyaluronic acid that nurtures dry skin.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Clyde Sharikova-Sudarma, a local veterinarian who undergoes expensive annual MRIs for an ongoing medical condition, said his premiums could double next year.
    Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 8 Nov. 2025
  • In the wake of Tuesday’s crash, the Federal Aviation Administration effectively grounded all MD-11 and MD-11F aircrafts until each undergoes a thorough inspection.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Today, the Titanic’s legacy endures through museums like the one the couple visited and ongoing research expeditions that offer scientific and educational insight.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Rania, meanwhile, endures displacement, hunger, and the aching wait for reunion, separated from her babies by military checkpoints and war.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Therefore, the present work supports the belief that rational materials design at both the macro and atomic levels can solve long-standing challenges, according to a press release.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
  • These microorganisms are the base of a unique food chain that supports a community of cave-dwelling organisms.
    Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • And disappointingly, the commission somehow justified that this proposal satisfies the affordability pillar of state policy.
    Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Waukesha County cheers key step in the process For Waukesha County, Boardman's statement satisfies officials' hope that state transportation leaders are at least acknowledging the importance of I-94 locally and are following the steps necessary to make a project happen at some point.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • If a pilot experiences difficulties, pulling a red T-handle deploys the 2,400-square-foot parachute.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Northern Ohio often experiences strong westerly to northwesterly winds over Lake Erie, which can enhance lake-effect snow for cities like Cleveland, Toledo, and Sandusky.
    Brandi D. Addison, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • This cedar tolerates hot and humid Southern summers and is drought tolerant once established.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Emperor 1 tolerates heat well, and the dark-purple-red leaves are less prone to scorching.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The store carries Stone Creek coffee and Tootsie’s Tea, an Indigenous and woman-owned company based in Milwaukee.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Additionally, the store carries the Dior Icons Neo-wardrobe for men, which includes multifunctional trousers and jackets, long coats, tailoring and sportswear.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sustains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustains. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

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