MAINTAIN Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'maintain' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of maintain are assert , defend , justify , and vindicate . While all these words mean "to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable," maintain stresses firmness of conviction. // steadfastly maintained his innocence

Q: When would 'assert' be a good substitute for 'maintain'?

Although the words assert and maintain have much in common, assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim. // asserted her rights

Q: When could 'defend' be used to replace 'maintain'?

In some situations, the words defend and maintain are roughly equivalent. However, defend implies maintaining in the face of attack or criticism. // defended his voting record

Q: When is it sensible to use 'justify' instead of 'maintain'?

The words justify and maintain can be used in similar contexts, but justify implies showing to be true, just, or valid by appeal to a standard or to precedent. // the action was used to justify military intervention

Q: In what contexts can 'vindicate' take the place of 'maintain'?

The meanings of vindicate and maintain largely overlap; however, vindicate implies successfully defending. // his success vindicated our faith in him

maintain

verb

mān-ˈtān

Definition of maintain

as in to preserve

to keep in good condition he repairs and maintains antique cars as a hobby

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to defend

to continue to declare to be true or proper despite opposition or objections part of debating is learning to maintain your position in the face of harsh challenges

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as in to keep

to pay the living expenses of we simply cannot afford to maintain a horse

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as in to argue

to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration she continued to maintain that a sewing machine would end up paying for itself since she could make her own clothes

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as in to insist

to state as a fact usually forcefully he maintains that there is indeed hard evidence for extraterrestrial visitors

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb maintain differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of maintain are assert, defend, justify, and vindicate. While all these words mean "to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable," maintain stresses firmness of conviction.

steadfastly maintained his innocence

When would assert be a good substitute for maintain?

Although the words assert and maintain have much in common, assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim.

asserted her rights

When could defend be used to replace maintain?

In some situations, the words defend and maintain are roughly equivalent. However, defend implies maintaining in the face of attack or criticism.

defended his voting record

When is it sensible to use justify instead of maintain?

The words justify and maintain can be used in similar contexts, but justify implies showing to be true, just, or valid by appeal to a standard or to precedent.

the action was used to justify military intervention

In what contexts can vindicate take the place of maintain?

The meanings of vindicate and maintain largely overlap; however, vindicate implies successfully defending.

his success vindicated our faith in him

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 maintain Talarico concluded the debate portion of the town hall by taking a firm stance against antisemitism while maintaining his criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026 For a couple who maintains separate homes, Sarah and Len spend a lot of time together. — Anne Kadet, Curbed, 14 Oct. 2026 Instead, revenue protection mode—according to the DOJ—prioritized maintaining revenue by leasing fewer apartments at higher prices. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026 At the time, the Treasury Department accused the Maduro government of systematically looting Venezuela’s riches while relying on a network of loyal officials to maintain political control. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for maintain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maintain

Verb

In addition to the return of her property, Omar's attorneys are demanding that the Justice Department preserve any audio and video that was taken during the search, according to the letter.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
But while critics on the Israeli right railed against the deal, Netanyahu’s deputies worked behind the scenes to preserve it, according to correspondence obtained by TIME.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of preserve

Verb

We grow practiced at defending art by describing its return on investment.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Andrés Zamora, Secuoya Studios’ director of global sales and distribution, said such deals underline the role distribution can play in financing projects, while also forcing producers to defend their position.

— Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of defend

Verb

Investors are keeping a close eye on the outlook of interest rates, after New York Federal Reserve President John Williams' recent comments put him at odds with the broader market and some other central bank members.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Tajdar Amrohi says that by the time the film was ready for release, his father didn’t have a penny to keep for himself and was deep in debt.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of keep

Verb

Others are skeptical the task force can accomplish much in such a short time period, arguing that eventually sweeping new legislation will be needed to regulate AI.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Consumer advocates have argued that digital labels could eventually be used for surge pricing or personalized pricing.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of argue

Verb

While officials insist the demolitions are a non-negotiable step toward revitalizing the corridor along Old National Highway, the families and owners left in the wake of the bulldozers say true recovery remains a distant promise.

— La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
There is a distinction, of course, between insisting on witnesses and staging a spectacle.

— Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of insist

Verb

The targeting of civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, particularly airports, illustrates the retaliatory logic the Houthis have invoked to justify their actions.

— Laurent Bonnefoy, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
There is always a new spectacle, a new gimmick to lure people into a theater and justify the cost of a ticket.

— Sam Fleischner, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of justify

Verb

The ban had been imposed by the central elections committee, a political body dominated by Netanyahu allies, on the basis that the parties supported armed struggle against Israel.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026
For a government overseeing a population dominated by mobile expats, that created a lot of uncertainty in terms of establishing an economic base that can support a welfare system and basic state infrastructure.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of support

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“Maintain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maintain. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of maintain

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