maintain

verb

mān-ˈtān How to pronounce maintain (audio)
Definition of maintainnext
1
as in to preserve
to keep in good condition he repairs and maintains antique cars as a hobby

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2
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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3
as in to keep
to pay the living expenses of we simply cannot afford to maintain a horse

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4
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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5
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 It was designed for entrepreneurs, investors, and creators seeking long-term or permanent residences in natural settings, while maintaining access to connectivity and quality. —Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 3 June 2025 Branch, a desk and office chair company that is focused on ergonomics, recommends that the best desk height maintains a 90-degree angle at your elbows when your arms rest on the desk (a.k.a. —Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 3 June 2025 June 03, 2025 Listening well is an essential aspect of leadership – not just to maintain good relationships with employees, but to drive real business improvements and results. —Harvard Business Review, 3 June 2025 Conclusion Federal investment in R&D has been instrumental in establishing and maintaining the United States’ technological and economic leadership. —Natalie Madeira Cofield, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for maintain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maintain
  1. preserve
  2. defend
  3. keep
  4. argue
  5. insist
  6. conserve
  7. justify
  8. support
Verb
  • The approved budget would preserve the portion of the program for those 65 and older, allocating $110 million for that coverage.
    — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
  • For You, these acts are attempts to preserve art’s political orientation as left-wing and capitalism-critical—albeit produced under extreme capitalist conditions and in full awareness of that cognitive dissonance.
    — Diedrich Diederichsen, Artforum, 1 June 2025
Definition of preserve
Verb
  • A day after the singer, 38, shocked fans by walking the 2025 American Music Awards red carpet with a blonde bob — a far departure from her trademark long locks — Pratt, 41, defended his wife against hate comments.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 28 May 2025
  • Kehoe, in response to a question from The Star on Tuesday, defended his decision to push the plan at the 11th-hour.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2025
Definition of defend
Verb
  • Battling drug addiction, Sink signed up for a Planet Fitness membership with the hope working out would keep him sober, according to a probable cause statement obtained by the Indianapolis Star.
    — Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025
  • The reissued advisory keeps Italy at a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, due to terrorism.
    — Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2025
Definition of keep
Verb
  • The Entertainment Union Coalition argues that the bill will also help retain the existing workforce, which otherwise would continue to erode.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 3 June 2025
  • Debates over existing recommendations Administration officials argue the shots are no longer necessary for healthy pregnant women, kids and younger adults under 65 because so many people have so much immunity at this point.
    — Rob Stein, NPR, 3 June 2025
Definition of argue
Verb
  • The administration can also insist that other countries pay prices commensurate with the value of new medicines as a condition of striking trade agreements with the United States.
    — Sally Pipes, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • Her father’s second-in-command, the handsome Jack Dean, insists family members play fair in obeying their father’s will.
    — Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
Definition of insist
Verb
  • The adults can survive for up to five months without food, remaining still to conserve their energy.
    — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2025
  • The Nicaraguan native and engineer bought the land with the intent to conserve the tropical forest and its wildlife.
    — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2025
Definition of conserve
Verb
  • But as cloud spend goes up, the need to justify cost efforts and demonstrate cost avoidance to execs will increase.
    — Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • His breezy accounts betray no anxiety to justify the expense of sending him around the world.
    — Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025
Definition of justify
Verb
  • Arafat would similarly reject peace with Israel, support terrorism, and murder rivals and critics.
    — Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
  • The new numbers might be a little confusing at first, especially for the period of overlap where Apple is actively supporting (say) macOS 14, macOS 15, and macOS 26.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025
Definition of support

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maintain
maintainable
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Cite this Entry

“Maintain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maintain. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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