Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb sustain

7 senses of sustain

Sense 1
prolong, sustain, keep up -- (lengthen or extend in duration or space; "We sustained the diplomatic negotiations as long as possible"; "prolong the treatment of the patient"; "keep up the good work")
       => continue, uphold, carry on, bear on, preserve -- (keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last; "preserve the peace in the family"; "continue the family tradition"; "Carry on the old traditions")

Sense 2
suffer, sustain, have, get -- (undergo (as of injuries and illnesses); "She suffered a fracture in the accident"; "He had an insulin shock after eating three candy bars"; "She got a bruise on her leg"; "He got his arm broken in the scuffle")
       => experience, receive, have, get -- (go through (mental or physical states or experiences); "get an idea"; "experience vertigo"; "get nauseous"; "receive injuries"; "have a feeling")

Sense 3
nourish, nurture, sustain -- (provide with nourishment; "We sustained ourselves on bread and water"; "This kind of food is not nourishing for young children")
       => provide, supply, ply, cater -- (give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance; "The hostess provided lunch for all the guests")

Sense 4
sustain, keep, maintain -- (supply with necessities and support; "She alone sustained her family"; "The money will sustain our good cause"; "There's little to earn and many to keep")
       => have, have got, hold -- (have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense; "She has $1,000 in the bank"; "He has got two beautiful daughters"; "She holds a Master's degree from Harvard")

Sense 5
hold, support, sustain, hold up -- (be the physical support of; carry the weight of; "The beam holds up the roof"; "He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam"; "What's holding that mirror?")

Sense 6
sustain -- (admit as valid; "The court sustained the motion")
       => admit, acknowledge -- (declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of; "He admitted his errors"; "She acknowledged that she might have forgotten")

Sense 7
confirm, corroborate, sustain, substantiate, support, affirm -- (establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts; "his story confirmed my doubts"; "The evidence supports the defendant")