sustain (B2)
verb
Pronunciation: /səˈsteɪn/
Definition
To cause something to continue or be prolonged for an extended period, or to undergo or suffer (something unpleasant, especially an injury or loss).
Examples
The pillars were designed to sustain the weight of the entire roof.
She found it difficult to sustain a conversation with him for very long.
The company managed to sustain its growth despite the economic downturn.
How to Use sustain
- sustain oneself (collocation)
- to keep oneself alive or in existence — "During the survival training, they learned how to sustain themselves on minimal supplies."
- sustain a loss (collocation)
- to suffer a financial or other setback — "Many businesses sustained heavy losses during the pandemic."
- sustain an argument (collocation)
- to provide evidence or reasoning to support a claim — "The lawyer struggled to sustain his argument without new evidence."
Synonyms of sustain
Words with a similar meaning to sustain:
Antonyms of sustain
Words with the opposite meaning to sustain:
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