sustains

present tense third-person singular of sustain
1
as in nurtures
to supply with nourishment a granola bar should sustain you long enough to last until lunch

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2
as in undergoes
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it sustained serious injuries in the car crash

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3
4
as in supports
to hold up or serve as a foundation for that old chair won't sustain your weight

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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 sustains Then stay even longer for how cannily the album sustains its mix of droll delivery and pure heartbreak. Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Oct. 2025 Providing the funding also safeguards the revenue and economic benefit that sustains rural communities around the park, state officials said. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2025 That’s what sustains a culture over the long term. Prof. Dr. Med. Mazda Farshad, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 What sustains us is Julia Roberts and the cast. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025 The fantasy of endless space is what matters, a great chimeric promise, this production understands, that both sustains the nation and goes unfulfilled. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025 If New Orleans sustains drives, though, the offense may try to go up-tempo to tire them out. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025 That labor sustains an inequitable tech economy in which a handful of companies, including Meta, Google and Amazon, rake in profit and enrich their shareholders. Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025 Which consumer trends fueled Pop Mart's rise — and what sustains its success? Anniek Bao, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustains
Verb
  • Getting creative with my style nurtures the confidence that empowers me to show up in the world authentically.
    Essence, Essence, 24 Sep. 2025
  • The vegan lip treatment delivers intense moisture via a peptide that smoothes and plumps, as well as hyaluronic acid that nurtures dry skin.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Each batch undergoes multiple safety checks, including microbial testing, water quality analysis, and detailed sanitation audits.
    William Jones, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The production interruption comes as Nissan undergoes global restructuring to reduce operating expenses and boost sales.
    Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The foliage looks good through the toughest days of summer and endures the chill of winter, when the evergreen foliage takes on coral pink hues.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Researchers have come together to document and analyze these buildings to ensure the legacy endures.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Landau understands and supports not just Bruce’s vision but Bruce himself, which is how Nebraska, so bleak and bewitching, eventually emerges into the world.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
  • One where technology quietly supports independence, rather than defines it.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Waukesha County cheers key step in the process For Waukesha County, Boardman's statement satisfies officials' hope that state transportation leaders are at least acknowledging the importance of I-94 locally and are following the steps necessary to make a project happen at some point.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 2 Oct. 2025
  • As part of a plea agreement, prosecution was deferred on an additional charge for menacing so long as White commits no new violations over the next two years and satisfies a number of conditions, including issuing a public apology to the victim, Adam Weatherford.
    Josh Wood, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The show follows Rauw’s Don Raúl as the young immigrant tries to make it in the big city — and along the way falls in love, experiences betrayal and even gets arrested.
    Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Most of the loop experiences a drop in these elements, except at the very top, or apex, where their levels increase.
    Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Native to Texas and Mexico, autumn sage tolerates heat and drought but also adapts to a variety of growing conditions.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The Santa Barbara daisy, which is actually native to Mexico and Central America, is meant not only for sunny garden, block wall, or walkway border planting, but tolerates a fair dose of shade as well as poor soil and drought.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The November 17th already carries considerable weight due to Cena's farewell.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The dukedom of York also carries a dark history, prompting speculation that the title itself may be unlucky, Vanity Fair reported.
    Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sustains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustains. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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