SUSTENTATION Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

sustentation

noun

ˌsə-stən-ˈtā-shən

Definition of sustentation

as in maintenance

the act or activity of keeping something in an existing and usually satisfactory condition argues that a new toll is needed to pay for the long-term sustentation of the city's bridges

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in preservation

the careful maintaining and protection of something valuable especially in its natural or original state the all-important sustentation of Mount Vernon, Monticello, and other national treasures

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustentation

Noun

Training must continue, maintenance must be funded, and leadership must remain accountable, regardless of financial pressures.

— Dennis Speigel, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Such a concentration of power could prevent the effective maintenance of checks and balances on policy decisions by institutions.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of maintenance

Noun

The odds of a mistaken dress swap happening during the preservation process are rare, especially today with tracking technology available throughout the cleaning process, according to Schapiro.

— Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Part of Voelkl’s job as a master and Senior Perfumer is to guide the research around the research and preservation of certain smells.

— Arabelle Sicardi, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of preservation

Noun

Bull Shoals was six feet from the conservation pool level, but Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, Norfork and Greer's Ferry are all lakes that generate hydro-power, which will be reduced because of the low water conditions.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
The Center for Western Priorities, a conservation advocacy nonprofit, first reported the project through a map tracking data centers on public land throughout the American West.

— Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of conservation

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.

Browse Nearby Words

sustenance

sustentation

sustentations

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sustentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustentation. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of sustentation

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shindig

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes