sustainable

adjective

sus·​tain·​able sə-ˈstā-nə-bəl 

1

: capable of being sustained

2

a

: of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged

sustainable techniques

sustainable agriculture

b

: of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods

sustainable society

sustainability

sə-ˌstā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

sustainably

sə-ˈstā-nə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• defendable
• defensible
• justifiable
• maintainable
• supportable
• tenable

Examples of sustainable in a Sentence

a line of argument that is probably not sustainable in a public forum against skilled debaters

has no sustainable claim to the property without a deed or some other document

Recent Examples on the Web

Many of the recent leadership improvements stem from temporary staffing shifts or the creation of support roles, not from sustainable promotion pipelines. —Angelica Krystle Donati, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

This method helps individuals decode thoughts and feelings to uncover their deeper significance, providing tools for sustainable emotional well-being. —Lauren Carpenter, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025

Tobacco giants, fossil fuel companies and weapons makers have typically been among those to have been screened out or excluded from sustainable portfolios. —Sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2025

Even when a destination has a plan for sustainable recovery post-disaster, though, following it is not always so simple. —Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sustainable

• trainable
• ascertainable
• unattainable
• unexplainable
• unobtainable
• unsustainable
• attainable
• explainable
• maintainable
• obtainable