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sustain
/səˈsteɪn/
keep going
The company struggled to sustain its growth during the recession.
The company found it difficult to maintain its growth when the economy declined.
general
To keep something going over time; to maintain without interruption
The forest ecosystem cannot sustain such high levels of pollution.
The forest ecosystem cannot survive or remain healthy with so much pollution.
She sustained a serious injury during the match.
She suffered a serious injury that continued for a period.
Often used in contexts involving life, health, growth, or operations.
Law
formal
To provide evidence or proof for a statement or claim
The witness's testimony was sufficient to sustain the charges.
The witness's testimony was enough to support or uphold the charges in court.
Common in legal and academic writing.
general
To experience or suffer something unpleasant
The team sustained heavy losses in the final quarter.
The team experienced significant losses during the last part of the game.
Implies enduring a negative condition over time.
Collocations
sustain damagesuffer harmsustain growthmaintain progresssustain a conversationkeep talkingsustain lifesupport living organisms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguish from 'maintain'
'Sustain' emphasizes enduring stress or pressure over time, while 'maintain' focuses on keeping something in its current state without implying struggle. Example: 'She maintained her composure' (kept calm) vs. 'She sustained an injury' (endured harm).
Gold Rule
Use 'sustain' for resilience
Reserve 'sustain' for situations where something faces challenges but continues due to support or endurance. Avoid using it for simple continuation without implication of effort or stress.
Word Origin
From Latin *sustinere* (to hold up, support), from *sub-* (under) + *tenere* (to hold). Entered English in the 13th century via Old French *sustener*.
Usage Notes
Often confused with 'maintain' but 'sustain' implies continuous support or endurance over time, especially under stress. In legal contexts, it specifically means to uphold a decision or charge.
Word Breakdown
sus-
under, secretly (from Latin sub-)
prefix-tain
to hold (from Latin tenere)
rootEnglish Dictionary