as in support
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in nurturing
to supply with nourishment
a granola bar should sustain you long enough to last until lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in experiencing
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it
sustained serious injuries in the car crash
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in enduring
to put up with (something painful or difficult)
I won't sustain such insolence!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in supporting
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
that old chair won't sustain your weight
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Recent Examples of sustaining
Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Sophia Rey, JSTOR Daily, 28 May 2026
Emotionally cornered and spiritually exhausted, Anatoly at last lets everything rupture to the surface, sustaining the anthem's climactic note for over 20 seconds.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
Civic Preparation Should Be Built Into Campus Life This type of work—which is integral to sustaining democracy—should be built into campus-wide core programming, not as a single course or a solo opt-in non-curricular activity.
—Rajiv Vinnakota, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Opening and sustaining a business in the immigrant, working-class neighborhood that raised him, paying homage to his parents’ legacy of entrepreneurship and capturing modern Pilsen through food is what fuels him.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Many more will launch their careers directly by entering the workforce, pursuing apprenticeships or mastering the skilled trades that are essential to building and sustaining our communities and economy.
—Howard Hepburn, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026
Sales have slowed in China, the biggest market, but exports are still rising, and manufacturers are betting on ultra-fast charging as a way of sustaining adoption momentum, Wood Mackenzie noted.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
Now, a new study suggests researchers may have found the first drug regimen capable of rapid and sustaining relief from suicidal thoughts across a broad group of patients.
—Ariana Eunjung Cha, Washington Post, 19 May 2026
It was later revealed that many of the facilities, while sustaining serious damage, were not destroyed.
—L. Sue Baugh, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 May 2026
Noun
These molecules could serve as the building blocks of more complex organic molecules, which are vital in the development and sustaining of life.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
Her hyperfocus on the leaf raises questions that extend far beyond the kitchen, inviting an inquiry into the banana plant’s movement across geographies and its role in sustaining cultural traditions.
—Sophia Rey, JSTOR Daily, 28 May 2026
Emotionally cornered and spiritually exhausted, Anatoly at last lets everything rupture to the surface, sustaining the anthem's climactic note for over 20 seconds.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
Civic Preparation Should Be Built Into Campus Life This type of work—which is integral to sustaining democracy—should be built into campus-wide core programming, not as a single course or a solo opt-in non-curricular activity.
—Rajiv Vinnakota, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Opening and sustaining a business in the immigrant, working-class neighborhood that raised him, paying homage to his parents’ legacy of entrepreneurship and capturing modern Pilsen through food is what fuels him.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Many more will launch their careers directly by entering the workforce, pursuing apprenticeships or mastering the skilled trades that are essential to building and sustaining our communities and economy.
—Howard Hepburn, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026
Sales have slowed in China, the biggest market, but exports are still rising, and manufacturers are betting on ultra-fast charging as a way of sustaining adoption momentum, Wood Mackenzie noted.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
Now, a new study suggests researchers may have found the first drug regimen capable of rapid and sustaining relief from suicidal thoughts across a broad group of patients.
—Ariana Eunjung Cha, Washington Post, 19 May 2026
It was later revealed that many of the facilities, while sustaining serious damage, were not destroyed.
—L. Sue Baugh, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustaining
Noun
-
No other candidates reached double-digit support, including Democratic San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan with 7%, Democratic former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa with 5% and Democratic Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond with 1%, the poll found.—
John Woolfolk,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
-
As well as turning to the club’s head of medicine and performance Jonathan Power and psychologist Lee Richardson, Liverpool brought in grief counsellors to ensure there was sufficient support.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Venus and Jupiter align in nurturing Cancer on June 9, one of the sweeter transits of the year, bringing a collective focus on joy, intimacy, and the small moments worth savoring.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 May 2026
-
LinkedIn Is An Essential Career Success Tool Relationships are critical to career success, and LinkedIn is the most powerful digital platform for building and nurturing relationships.—
William Arruda,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The Cubs needed to bring up someone to replace Shaw, who began experiencing discomfort in his back Tuesday.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
Busch was coughing up blood and experiencing shortness of breath on Wednesday while getting ready for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Barcelona are currently enduring a difficult financial situation.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
-
Only a handful of investors have enduring track records of picking the best founders and startups over the 25- year history of the Midas List.—
Sofia Chierchio,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
For the first time, a skeleton of metal, rather than walls of masonry, formed the main supporting material for a large commercial tower.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
The film stars Spanish singer-songwriter Guitarricadelafuente in his screen debut, alongside Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes and Lola Dueñas, with Glenn Close in a supporting role and Penélope Cruz contributing an extended cameo.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Light, refreshing, and summery, this elegant but satisfying shrimp salad is ready in minutes and can be made ahead and served chilled.—
Lizzy Briskin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 May 2026
-
The key to a sweaty-and-satisfying workout?—
Amina Ayoud,
Footwear News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Sheriff’s Deputy Jon Samuelson, 33, remains in critical but stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit at Memorial Hospital after undergoing eight hours of surgery, according to a Facebook post from LaPorte County Sheriff Ron Heeg.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
Lucia and Lisa spent a day undergoing a screening questionnaire at the clinic.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
That means tolerating a certain level of damage from leaf-eating insects.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
The habit of tolerating boredom and refusing to treat it as a signal to quit turns out to be a competitive advantage hiding in plain sight.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sustaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustaining. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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