sustains
Holds up continuously
Sustains is the third-person singular of sustain, meaning to keep something going or hold it up.
A singer sustains a note, a body sustains an injury, food sustains life.
To sustain can also mean to support or uphold: a court sustains an objection when it rules in favor.
The word implies ongoing effort or endurance—what sustains you keeps you from falling or failing.
Architectural wall reinforcement
- bolsterStrengthen or buttress
- reinforceAdd strength to something
- underpinSupport from below
- backingAid or sponsorship
prop · brace · strengthen · bear · carry · shore up · undergird · hold up
Protect from harm
- advocatePublic cause supporter
- championTop competitor, or advocate
- vindicateClear of wrongdoing
- justifyProvide adequate grounds for
validate · endorse · sanction · approve · legitimize · ratify · confirm · authenticate
Continue despite obstacles
- withstandRemain intact despite pressure
- surviveContinue to exist
- lastFinal in sequence
- prevailTo succeed ultimately
weather · overcome · persist · outlast · resist · tolerate · bear · brave
Bodily use of food
- feedSupply with sustenance
- nurtureSupport growth and development
- provisionsStockpiled food and supplies
- dietCustomary food consumption
vitamins · minerals · protein · calories · fortify · replenish · energize · revitalize
Protect from loss
- conserveKeep from being depleted
- retainKeep possession of
- keepRetain or fortified tower
- prolongExtend in duration
perpetuate · upkeep · tend · protect · safeguard · stewardship · care · manage
In progress now
- uninterruptedContinuing without a stop
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
- perpetuationMaking something endure
- durationLength of existence
flow · steady · constant · continuous · prolonged · lasting · enduring · seamless
buttress
Architectural wall reinforcement
backing · prop · brace · strengthen · bear · carry · shore up · undergird · hold up · anchor
defend
Protect from harm
justify · validate · endorse · sanction · approve · legitimize · ratify · confirm · authenticate · corroborate
persevere
Continue despite obstacles
prevail · weather · overcome · persist · outlast · resist · tolerate · bear · brave · holdout
nutrition
Bodily use of food
- feedSupply with sustenance
- nurtureSupport growth and development
- provisionsStockpiled food and supplies
diet · vitamins · minerals · protein · calories · fortify · replenish · energize · revitalize · nourishment
preserve
Protect from loss
prolong · perpetuate · upkeep · tend · protect · safeguard · stewardship · care · manage · continue
ongoing
In progress now
- uninterruptedContinuing without a stop
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
- perpetuationMaking something endure
duration · flow · steady · constant · continuous · prolonged · lasting · enduring · seamless · unbroken
- environmental sustainabilityMaintaining natural systems indefinitely
- sustainable woodEthically sourced timber
- sustainable housingDwellings minimizing environmental harm
- sustainable energyInexhaustible, eco-friendly power sources
- sustainable growthContinuable long-term expansion
- sustainable livingLifestyle minimizing environmental harm
sustain, sustained, sustainable, sustaining, unsustainable, sustainability, sustainer, sustainers