Definition of sustentationnext
1
as in maintenance
the act or activity of keeping something in an existing and usually satisfactory condition argues that a new toll is needed to pay for the long-term sustentation of the city's bridges

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2
as in preservation
the careful maintaining and protection of something valuable especially in its natural or original state the all-important sustentation of Mount Vernon, Monticello, and other national treasures

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustentation
Noun
  • As the brand evolved, this team transitioned into a dedicated bag restoration and maintenance atelier, preserving the longevity of each piece and keeping the warmth of handmade memory alive through patient care.
    — Footwear News, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Small details are attended to with flawless execution—when the night is chilly, blankets appear at the dinner table; housekeeping and pool maintenance is timed so as not to interfere with your presence; transfers and shuttles are booked with ease.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Historic preservation of the Excelsior Club Last year, Kennedy noted that the building was in disrepair and unsalvageable.
    — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Williams, the sociologist, noted an overlap between supporters and cultural-preservation movements across post-industrial Britain.
    — Vanda Mayer, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • There are solutions for age verification that are both accurate and privacy preserving.
    — Annie Chestnut Tutor, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The backstory Inkaterra has built a reputation for eco-conscious stays in the Sacred Valley and the Amazon, with revenue from guest stays contributing to the conservation of Peruvian flora and fauna.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In 2026, that work earned her the Whitley Gold Award, one of conservation’s most prestigious honors.
    — Ashleigh Nghiem, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Sustentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustentation. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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