Sustain — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /sə-ˈstān/ sus·tain

Meaning & Definition of Sustain

Sustain (verb)

  1. to give support or relief to
  2. to supply with sustenance, nourish
  3. keep up, prolong

Sustain (noun)

  1. a musical effect that prolongs a note's resonance

Sustain (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to supply with nourishment

    "a granola bar should sustain you long enough to last until lunch"

    similar: nourish, nurture
    related: sate, satiate, satisfy, nurse, suckle, cloy, fill, surfeit, fortify, replenish, strengthen, feed, board, cater, provision, victual

  2. to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it

    "sustained serious injuries in the car crash"

    similar: endure, experience, feel, have, know, pass, see, suffer, taste, undergo, witness, go through
    related: encounter, meet, accept, receive, assimilate, digest

  3. to put up with (something painful or difficult)

    "I won't sustain such insolence!"

    similar: abide, absorb, accept, bear, bide (chiefly dialect), brook, countenance, endure, go, hack, handle, meet, pocket, stand, stick out, stomach, support, sweat out, take, tolerate, wear (British), live with, lump (it), stand for, tough it out
    related: allow, permit, suffer, swallow, reconcile (to), acquiesce, agree (with or to), assent (to), capitulate, consent (to), respect, submit (to), yield (to)
    near: decline, dismiss, refuse, reject, repudiate, spurn, turn down, combat, contest, fight, oppose, resist, avoid, bypass, circumvent, dodge, elude, escape, evade, miss, abstain (from), forbear, refrain (from)

  4. to hold up or serve as a foundation for

    "that old chair won't sustain your weight"

    similar: bear, bolster, brace, buttress, carry, prop (up), shore (up), stay, support, undergird, underpin, uphold
    related: steady, truss, underlie

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Sustain

The most common words with a similar meaning to Sustain:

Chiefly dialect: bide
British: wear
nourish, nurture, endure, experience, feel, have, know, pass, see, suffer, taste, undergo, witness, abide, absorb, accept, bear, brook, countenance, go, hack, handle, meet, pocket, stand, stick out, stomach, support, sweat out, take, tolerate, bolster, brace, buttress, carry, prop (up), shore (up), stay, undergird, underpin

Related Words for Sustain

sate, satiate, satisfy, nurse, suckle, cloy, fill, surfeit, fortify, replenish, strengthen, feed, board, cater, provision, victual, encounter, receive, assimilate, digest, allow, permit, swallow, reconcile (to), acquiesce, agree (with or to), assent (to), capitulate, consent (to), respect

Near Antonyms of Sustain

decline, dismiss, refuse, reject, repudiate, spurn, turn down, combat, contest, fight, oppose, resist, avoid, bypass, circumvent, dodge, elude, escape, evade, miss, abstain (from), forbear, refrain (from)

Word Forms of Sustain

Inflections: sustained, sustaining, sustains

Derived words: sustainedly (adverb), sustainer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Sustain

Middle English sustenen, from Anglo-French sustein-, stem of sustenir, from Latin sustinēre to hold up, sustain, from sub-, sus- up + tenēre to hold sub-, thin

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Sustain

Frequently Asked Questions about Sustain

What does "Sustain" mean?

"Sustain" means to give support or relief to. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to give support or relief to. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Sustain"?

Other words for "Sustain" include nourish, nurture, endure, experience, feel, have, know and pass. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Sustain" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Sustain"?

There are 83 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Sustain". Common alternatives include nourish, nurture, endure, experience, feel, have, know, pass, see and suffer.

How do you use "Sustain" in a sentence?

Examples of "Sustain" in a sentence: "a granola bar should sustain you long enough to last until lunch"; "sustained serious injuries in the car crash"; "I won't sustain such insolence!".

Is "Sustain" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Sustain" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Sustain" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Sustain" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Sustain"?

"Sustain" is pronounced /sə-ˈstān/ and divided into syllables as sus·tain.

What is the origin of the word "Sustain"?

"Sustain" comes from Middle English sustenen, from Anglo-French sustein-, stem of sustenir, from Latin sustinēre to hold up, sustain, from sub-, sus- up + tenēre to hold sub-, thin. First known use: 13th century.