SUSTAINING Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

sustaining 1 of 2

noun

Definition of sustaining

as in support

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Dissimilar Words

sustaining

2 of 2

verb

present participle of sustain

as in nurturing

to supply with nourishment a granola bar should sustain you long enough to last until lunch

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in experiencing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in enduring

to put up with (something painful or difficult) I won't sustain such insolence!

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in supporting

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 sustaining

Noun

About 40 birds were released in phases between 2021 and 2023, and scientists now say the population is showing signs of becoming self-sustaining. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026 Fiercely protective of their culture, and almost uniquely self-sustaining within the wider UK dance-music scene, jungle and drum’n’bass have long tended to exist in their own siloed enclave. — Will Pritchard, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026 These molecules could serve as the building blocks of more complex organic molecules, which are vital in the development and sustaining of life. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026

Verb

Dieffenbach made the big play after sustaining an apparent leg injury on a hard hit late in the first half. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026 Rutgers starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan left after sustaining a blow to the head 6 minutes, 25 seconds into the first quarter and didn’t return. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 Gilder pushed and pulled the employee’s arm in the altercation, with the employee sustaining visible injuries, which were treated by the Orlando Fire Department. — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 For Dëmin, the adjustment involves sustaining urgency through possessions when somebody else is directing the offense. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026 The middle part had Kapadia confronting the possibility of sustaining a career. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 The turnaround is complete, and the goal now is sustaining it. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Achieving a charter is a milestone; sustaining the discipline behind it is an ongoing leadership and companywide responsibility. — Manny Khan, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 The Hurricanes took the lead back after Xavier Lucas, who was playing in his first game since sustaining an injury in the season opener, recovered a Riles fumble (forced by Ethan O’Connor). — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustaining

Noun

The Lake Wylie Marine Commission has rescinded its support for Charlotte Water’s request to modify its interbasin transfer agreement, the group’s leadership told Mecklenburg County commissioners during its annual report Tuesday.

— Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026
But through the hardships, Andrea Soto said the community’s support has been a positive.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of support

Verb

Thank you, Uncle Tim, for nurturing me in so many ways throughout my life.

— Sean McGowan, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Launched in 2024, the initiative is part of El Gouna’s CineGouna Emerge program aimed at nurturing the next generation of MENA film professionals.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of nurturing

Verb

In addition to vaccination, Public Health recommended that residents take preventive measures such as washing their hands frequently, staying home when sick and wearing masks when experiencing symptoms.

— Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Participants step or jump off a platform more than 40 feet above the ground, experiencing a brief moment of free fall before the rope system catches them and slowly lowers them to the ground.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of experiencing

Verb

Compensation structures that incorporate multi-year performance expectations encourage leaders to think about the enduring health of the company, not just the current quarter.

— Anthony Mastro, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Yet conversations of hormonal health and their enduring impact often end with the last period.

— Sadiya S. Khan, Time, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of enduring

Verb

With roaring support from a packed crowd, Macklemore launched his Free Palestine Tour in Ireland’s capital Monday, just over a month after he was controversially dropped as Ed Sheeran’s supporting act.

— Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
Attorneys general from 39 states and the District of Columbia have filed an amicus brief supporting New Jersey’s case against Kalshi.

— Josh Appel, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of supporting

Verb

On TikTok, creators crow about Le Pliage’s visually and physically satisfying design, produced in workshops across Western France.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
And as always, sites and zones on Mars for the choppers means satisfying engineering constraints imposed by the project and spacecraft design.

— Leonard David, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of satisfying

Verb

The new proposal, which is undergoing an environmental review, would use shorter, more frequent trains, said Cecily Way, who oversees planning for the Sepulveda Project for LA Metro.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Jen is still undergoing chemo and will need treatment through the end of the year.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of undergoing

Verb

Nathan is offended and starts going on his usual rant about not tolerating disrespect toward his family.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
Egyptian authorities alternated over the decades between tolerating and repressing the group, which was permitted to field candidates in elections for brief periods.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of tolerating

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Style

“Sustaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustaining. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sustaining

noun

verb

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