sustain
Meaning(s)
1. cause to continue for a period of time, support physically/mentally, suffer injury
Popularity
High
Professional
High
Social
How to Memorize
sustain growth/a healthy lifestyle
Analysis
The verb 'sustain' means to strengthen or support over a period of time either physically or psychologically. You can say that 'Oxygen and water is needed to sustain life,' for example. You can also use the verb 'sustain' in the same way as 'to suffer' or 'to obtain' when you are talking about an unpleasant injury or something negative. You can say someone 'sustained injuries in an accident' for example. To sustain can also mean to continue for a long time without interruption, so you can 'sustain a good habit' or 'sustain a conversation'.
Social Examples (Basic)
- A varied diet combined with regular exercise goes a long way towards sustaining a person's good health and quality of life.
- Michael always finds that the love and support of his family sustains him when he goes through difficult times.
- Jane sustained her ankle injury while playing football with her friends in the park. She hopes it's nothing too serious.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- In order to sustain growth and keep ahead of their rivals, the company must keep driving sales and developing new products.
- The losses being run up by Robert's business are simply unsustainable. If he can't turn things around in the next few weeks, he will have to close down.
Professional Examples (Advance)
- The factory is vital to the long-term sustainability of the remote community as it drives the local economy and provides mass employment.