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!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

More than any position group, the Terps’ weakness right now is just sustaining success – for a full season or even a full 60 minutes in big games. — Noah Trister, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 Ariana Grande will take the stage in London tonight in comfortable footwear rather than her signature heels after sustaining a minor injury. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026 Now, Operation Economic Outcast is severing every remaining economic lifeline sustaining the Islamic Republic of Iran. — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Meaning that the blue weber agave used in its production was cultivated from farms that actively restore soil health and improve local ecosystems rather than just sustaining them. — Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Their story follows their enduring commitment to restoring the rivers and forests, sustaining the cycle of rain and life. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 The latter was important to Kaphar, who wanted to provide the sort of practical education about sustaining a career that art schools often neglect. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 27 Aug. 2026 After sustaining a knee injury, Young skipped a medical exam the next day and left home carrying his licensed firearm, but without his cellphone. — Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 There are currently 17 albums in the Squeeze catalogue, including the one from 1984 credited not to Squeeze as a band but to the two key sustaining members and main songwriters, Tilbrook and Chris Difford. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sustaining

Noun

Yet, earlier this month, I, my fellow editors and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration personnel were informed that support for the Arctic Report Card — our flagship annual report since 2006 — is canceled.

— Twila Moon, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2026
Demographic experts are cautiously optimistic about the new scheme, which appears to offer more sustained and holistic support for families.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of support

Verb

Establishing and nurturing a robust professional relationship map—comprising sponsors, mentors, allies and followers—enhances professional impact and reputation, both critical to accessing new opportunities.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Alongside his own artistic practice, Tsubaki has devoted considerable effort to nurturing the next generation of artists, including establishing ARTOTHÈQUE within the Department of Fine and Applied Arts at Kyoto University of the Arts.

— The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of nurturing

Verb

While filming the video, Musgraves received a text from her dad that Nana had been rushed to the hospital after experiencing a health issue.

— Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Hosted by the Haus of Moulin Noir in collaboration with the Defiance Project, the event brought ballroom into a church sanctuary, drawing longtime competitors alongside people experiencing the culture for the first time.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of experiencing

Verb

In a strange way, Alexia Putellas’ move to London City Lionesses this summer encapsulates an enduring thread of recent transfer windows in the Women’s Super League.

— Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
The flood was a major blow to an enduring effort to modernize the pipeline that serves 6 million visitors a year and roughly 1,600 residents of Grand Canyon Village.

— Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of enduring

Verb

The Moon trines your ruler Mercury in your sign, supporting careful edits, useful explanations, and conversations that stay on track.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Sep. 2026
In a declaration supporting their complaint, Becker noted that California is mulling a bill, SB 813, that would establish a process where independent organizations would set baselines for AI safety standards.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of supporting

Verb

This might be Anaheim’s last, best chance at satisfying those objectives.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
As governments, regulators and enterprises continue to raise expectations around software accountability, the objective shouldn't simply be identifying more vulnerabilities or satisfying more requirements.

— Aaron Mitchell, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of satisfying

Verb

After multiple days undergoing tests, Lewis was officially diagnosed with giant cell arteritis in August 2021.

— Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
Once known primarily as a studio tour park, Universal has been undergoing a large-scale overhaul throughout the last decade-plus, adding immersive lands such as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of undergoing

Verb

Furthermore, relationships themselves teach basic psychological capacities such as regulating emotions, tolerating disappointment, and negotiating differences—skills which therapy is supposed to cultivate.

— David H. Rosmarin, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
Either way, civilizationism would prescribe a more consistent strategy of military withdrawal from the region, a tack tantamount to tolerating Chinese hegemony in its sphere.

— Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of tolerating

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sustained

sustaining

sustains

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Style

“Sustaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sustaining. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sustaining

noun

verb

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