1
2
as in undergoes
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it
sustained serious injuries in the car crash
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in endures
to put up with (something painful or difficult)
I won't sustain such insolence!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in supports
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 sustains
This strategic approach effectively gains and sustains ongoing interaction.
—
Expert Panel®, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
What sustains a show is whether a love affair feels deep, whether a character comes by a change in perspective honestly.
—Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
This sustains trust, maintains transparency and helps manage the narrative.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Snowpack -- the accumulation and compression of snow on the ground -- sustains the water supply for many regions, supplying water for drinking, irrigation and more throughout the year, according to Trudeau.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 15 Dec. 2024
By encouraging open, positive communication, laughter builds and sustains meaningful relationships in both personal and professional contexts.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 11 Dec. 2024
These new spaces are where old money meets new ideas, creating a potent mix that sustains London’s position as a nexus for the ultra-wealthy.
—Francois Botha, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
The Philippine Constitution says that if a president dies, sustains a permanent disability, is removed from office or resigns, the vice president takes over and serves the rest of the term.
—Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Nov. 2024
This local reinvestment drives economic growth, funds essential public services, and sustains community development.
—Rohit Arora, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Expert Panel®, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
What sustains a show is whether a love affair feels deep, whether a character comes by a change in perspective honestly.
—Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
This sustains trust, maintains transparency and helps manage the narrative.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Snowpack -- the accumulation and compression of snow on the ground -- sustains the water supply for many regions, supplying water for drinking, irrigation and more throughout the year, according to Trudeau.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 15 Dec. 2024
By encouraging open, positive communication, laughter builds and sustains meaningful relationships in both personal and professional contexts.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 11 Dec. 2024
These new spaces are where old money meets new ideas, creating a potent mix that sustains London’s position as a nexus for the ultra-wealthy.
—Francois Botha, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
The Philippine Constitution says that if a president dies, sustains a permanent disability, is removed from office or resigns, the vice president takes over and serves the rest of the term.
—Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Nov. 2024
This local reinvestment drives economic growth, funds essential public services, and sustains community development.
—Rohit Arora, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustains
Verb
-
The same is true during pregnancy, when the body undergoes drastic changes that affect both the quantity and quality of sleep.—
Sofía Esquivel,
Glamour,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Next, the material undergoes a potassium hydroxide treatment, which selectively removes less-stable structures, carving out a complex network of microscopic pores.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Although spot freight rates continue to tumble as more global ocean freight capacity enters the market, congestion in the largest ports in Asia and Northern Europe still endures.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Mar. 2025
-
From the pyramids to the mysteries of hieroglyphs and the afterlife, its legacy endures.—
David Nikel,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
But for people living with chronic pain, experts agreed this research supports the idea that healthy eating could be a tool for some relief.—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Such emerging opportunities can also be applied to cost benchmarking, scope-of-work planning and management, client-agency performance evaluations and many other key marketing functions that procurement supports.—
Bruno Gralpois,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Disturbing the peace carries a maximum sentence of 90 days or a $100 fine in Louisiana.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
But a culture built for scale is what carries you forward.—
Tracy Lawrence,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Implementing structure nourishes your creativity under the Pisces moon.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
28 Feb. 2025
-
While most products used for the technique are too heavy for oily skin, this sleeping mask boasts a gel-cream texture that effectively nourishes skin without suffocating it.—
Emily Orofino,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Of the two that would be acquired through a trade (Suzuki and Robert), Rosenthal sees the latter as being the one who is more available.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The office accepts complaints online and gives information on what documents are needed for the reports.—
Michael Loria,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Under federal law, any station that accepts payment, services or other valuable consideration for airing material must disclose this information to the audience at the time of broadcast.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sustains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustains. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share