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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Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustentation
Noun
  • Patients may then continue taking the medications for at least one or two additional years — what is known as maintenance treatment.
    The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Predictive maintenance will also advance rapidly.
    Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Lawmakers are drafting federal film tax incentive legislation and demanding CEOs answer questions about job preservation and AI use in entertainment.
    Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Classes given by the museum’s school ensure the craft’s preservation.
    Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • There are solutions for age verification that are both accurate and privacy preserving.
    Annie Chestnut Tutor, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Coverage will feature a look at the island’s historic significance as a military base, prison and seabird conservation site.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
  • On Thursday, the city’s Historic Preservation team presented a draft to the neighborhood showing what a conservation district would look like, including design guidelines for new construction and renovations, trees, yards and fences.
    Kamal Morgan February 7, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry

“Sustentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustentation. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

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