1
as in nurturing
to supply with nourishment
a granola bar should sustain you long enough to last until lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in support
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of sustaining
Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
If the Kingdom locks those reforms in while sustaining a realistic pace on its mega-projects and widening space for constructive debate, the payoff will extend far beyond its borders to a more stable and economically productive Arab region better able to compete in the world.
—Ali Shihabi, Time, 8 Sep. 2025
And Darren Waller sustaining a hip strain five days before the opener.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Not everything in The Paper needs to stick to news-gathering and reporting, which by nature are not always entertaining or plot-sustaining activities.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
In the United States, official retail prices average about twice those in China, sustaining a robust market for second-hand Labubu figures.
—Haicen Yang, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
In his rookie year, Gonzalez was limited to just four games after dislocating his shoulder and sustaining a torn labrum.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Alabama defensive tackle Jeremiah Beaman is likely out for the season after sustaining a lower-body injury at Wednesday’s practice, coach Kalen DeBoer said on his radio show Wednesday night.
—Matthew Ho, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Far more sustaining are intrinsic motivators such as a growth mindset, strong sense purpose, and satisfying curiosity.
—Ulrik Juul Christensen, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
Gayot has been a key player in restoring a level of quality to the collection and developing a fresh look to the brand, a balance that’s cool and modern while sustaining the heritage and classic American appeal.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
If the Kingdom locks those reforms in while sustaining a realistic pace on its mega-projects and widening space for constructive debate, the payoff will extend far beyond its borders to a more stable and economically productive Arab region better able to compete in the world.
—Ali Shihabi, Time, 8 Sep. 2025
And Darren Waller sustaining a hip strain five days before the opener.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Not everything in The Paper needs to stick to news-gathering and reporting, which by nature are not always entertaining or plot-sustaining activities.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
In the United States, official retail prices average about twice those in China, sustaining a robust market for second-hand Labubu figures.
—Haicen Yang, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
In his rookie year, Gonzalez was limited to just four games after dislocating his shoulder and sustaining a torn labrum.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Alabama defensive tackle Jeremiah Beaman is likely out for the season after sustaining a lower-body injury at Wednesday’s practice, coach Kalen DeBoer said on his radio show Wednesday night.
—Matthew Ho, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Far more sustaining are intrinsic motivators such as a growth mindset, strong sense purpose, and satisfying curiosity.
—Ulrik Juul Christensen, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustaining
Verb
-
Workman, Chief Scientist and co-founder of the venture, helped coin the name Electric Goddess, honoring both the feminine energy of nurturing and the technical masculine drive of making.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The institutional foundations for meaningful diplomacy need nurturing.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Some regions of the United States are experiencing higher rates of positive COVID-19 tests than others, though reporting has slowed down enough nationwide that the CDC has begun allowing more time to pass between certain types of updates, such as those on variant prevalence.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The report’s own data shows that companies slashing diversity, equity, and inclusion are experiencing higher discrimination complaints, lower morale, and decreased attraction of top talent.—
Essence,
Essence,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Fessceruna 3-Piece Loungewear Set Fessceruna’s three-piece loungewear set is perfect for cozying up at home on the couch, running quick errands, and enduring long travel days.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the enduring revenue streams generated by Disney’s stage successes have encouraged a growing number of other Hollywood studios and IP holders to give Broadway a try.—
Gordon Cox,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Raki McGregor, who also serves as the board chair of Mecklenburg County’s workforce development board Charlotte Works, recently made waves by publicly supporting candidates for CMS school board before his tenure as a CMS consultant was up.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Among the supporting evidence filed by the government are three academic reports by scholars with deep knowledge of Islamic charities in Egypt.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Podiatrists crafted them specifically to solve the lack of arch support in most shoes.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Thank you to everyone whos been showering so much love and support for the music and movie.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The brawling is weighty and the combos are satisfying to pull off, plus the rich artwork pops wonderfully across the screen.—
Joshua Lamb,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
When life events call for satisfying comfort food, try our Eggplant Parmesan to evoke warmth and tenderness.—
Bethany Thayer,
Freep.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Horror Gets a Makeover During a public talk about the state of the industry, NBCUniversal chief Donna Langley revealed that horror, one of the most reliable box office forces, is undergoing a shake-up.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The couple started trying for a baby naturally in 2017 but ended up consulting with Nashville Fertility in 2018 and undergoing several rounds of intrauterine insemination (IUI), according to People.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Some patients may have trouble tolerating other blood pressure medications.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Messi has always been a more introverted with the public, tolerating the stardom that accompanies his footballing career rather than embracing it.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sustaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustaining. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share