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   sus·tain

   /səˈstān/

   verb

   • 1. strengthen or support physically or mentally: "this thought had sustained him throughout the years" Similar comforthelpassistencouragesuccorsupportgive strength tobe a source of strength tobe a tower of strength tobuoy upcarrycheer upheartensee someone throughinformal:buck upOpposite tormentplague
   • ▪ bear (the weight of an object) without breaking or falling: "he sagged against her so that she could barely sustain his weight" Similar bearsupportcarrystandkeep upprop upshore upbolsterunderpinbuttressOpposite collapse under
   • 2. undergo or suffer (something unpleasant, especially an injury): "he died after sustaining severe head injuries" Similar undergoexperiencego throughsufferendure
   • 3. cause to continue or be prolonged for an extended period or without interruption: "he cannot sustain a normal conversation" Similar continuecarry onkeep upkeep goingkeep alivekeep in existencekeepmaintainprolongpreserveconserveprotractperpetuatebolster upprop upretainextend
   • ▪ (of a performer) represent (a part or character) convincingly: "he sustained the role with burly resilience"
   • 4. uphold, affirm, or confirm the justice or validity of: "the allegations of discrimination were sustained" Similar upholdvalidateratifyvindicateconfirmendorseapproveverifycorroboratesubstantiatebear outproveauthenticateattest toback upevidencejustify

   noun

   • 1. an effect or facility on a keyboard or electronic instrument whereby a note can be sustained after the key is released.

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French soustenir, from Latin sustinere, from sub- ‘from below’ + tenere ‘hold’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. sustainer noun

   Scrabble Points: 7

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