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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustentation
Noun
  • Your athletic endeavors are now about maintenance, not milestones.
    Zach Przystup, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Preventive routines, accessible wellness products, and home solutions that reduce ongoing maintenance may help pet owners monitor potential issues earlier while potentially supporting more manageable costs.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The projects cover diverse artistic traditions and conservation needs, ranging from fragile works on paper to grand paintings and objects requiring advanced preservation techniques.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Eco effort The preservation of its historic garden is of prime concern at Jnane Rumi, as is a dedicated approach to social sustainability.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • There are solutions for age verification that are both accurate and privacy preserving.
    Annie Chestnut Tutor, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Japan stands out among countries heavily dependent on energy from the Persian Gulf, having so far refrained from calling for conservation measures seen in places like Australia and South Korea.
    Shoko Oda, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Susan Carr is senior conservation project manager for the Putnam Land Conservancy.
    Susan Carr, Sun Sentinel, 26 Apr. 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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sustentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustentation. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster