as in food
something that maintains or stimulates the intellect my only sustenance on the long flight was a trashy novel I'd bought in the airport

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 sustenance Only then does the fungus finish the job, killing the ant and consuming it from the inside for sustenance as the parasite grows. New Atlas, 12 Apr. 2025 Child labor and street crime were rampant, with some youngsters turning to theft for sustenance. Peter Zablocki, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025 His insatiable appetite for worlds comes out of an elemental necessity to ingest fertile planets for sustenance and to maintain balance in the cosmos, forever on the prowl in his world ship, the Taa II. Jeff Spry, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2025 While my dad is an excellent cook, his lunches usually focus on sustenance rather than enjoyment. Katherine Polcari, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sustenance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustenance
Noun
  • Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, also known as the World Wine Guys, are wine, spirits, food, and travel writers, educators, and hosts.
    Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 4 May 2025
  • Cut food into small pieces, chew slowly and gently, and avoid using affected areas.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • Add this oil to your skincare products for extra nourishment.
    Nora Colomer may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • It’s formulated with micro-retinol to promote cellular turnover on the skin and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as squalane for deep nourishment, marine collagen for elasticity support, and elastin for stronger and healthier-looking skin.
    Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 25 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sustenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustenance. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sustenance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!