sustain

Plural: sustains

Verb

Verb Forms: sustained, sustaining, sustains

• To support or uphold; to keep something going.
• lengthen or extend in duration or space
  • "We sustained the diplomatic negotiations as long as possible"
• undergo (as of injuries and illnesses)
• provide with nourishment
  • "We sustained ourselves on bread and water"
• supply with necessities and support
  • "She alone sustained her family"
  • "The money will sustain our good cause"
• be the physical support of; carry the weight of
• admit as valid
  • "The court sustained the motion"
• establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
• To maintain, or keep in existence.
• To provide for or nourish.
• To encourage or sanction (something).
• To experience or suffer (an injury, etc.).
• To confirm, prove, or corroborate; to uphold.
• To allow, accept, or admit (e.g. an objection or motion) as valid.
• To keep from falling; to bear; to uphold; to support.
• To aid, comfort, or relieve; to vindicate.

Noun

• A mechanism which can be used to hold a note, as the right pedal on a piano.

Examples

• A foundation sustains the superstructure; an animal sustains a load; a rope sustains a weight.
• provisions to sustain an army
• Sam managed to sustain his erection for two straight hours.
• She needed high-scoring words to sustain her lead in the Words With Friends game.
• The building sustained major damage in the earthquake.
• The city came under sustained attack by enemy forces.
• The professor had trouble sustaining students’ interest until the end of her lectures.
• to sustain a charge, an accusation, or a proposition

Synonyms

affirm, confirm, corroborate, get, have, hold, hold up, keep, keep up, maintain, nourish, nurture, prolong, substantiate, suffer, support

Antonyms

negate, overrule

Anagrams of sustain