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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 She was released on probation, the terms of which required her to maintain an approved residential address. —Sarah Stillman, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025 Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual maintained its icon status through restraint and excellence with sublime new dial colors. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025 The two met in 2019, during Trump’s first term, when Bukele asked for the administration to maintain Temporary Protected Status for Salvadorans. —Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 14 Apr. 2025 However, that seems to be less effective for maintaining constant blood levels over the long term than simply taking smaller regular doses of around 800 to 2000 IU daily. —Mélanie Defouilloy, Vogue, 14 Apr. 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
  • Currently, visitors to Maui can assist in restoring and preserving the island’s cultural and archaeological sites with Maui Cultural Lands or participate in cleanup events and invasive species removal with Malama Maui Nui.
    — Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
  • This consistency also makes this after-sun lotion great for daily use to keep skin hydrated and preserve your tan.
    — Marilyn La Jeunesse, Glamour, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of preserve
Verb
  • Frazier would protest the bout without Ali, but ended up winning the title against Jimmy Ellis, and defended it four times before losing to Foreman.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Hamilton maintained his lead throughout the 19-lap sprint race and defended the position from Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen, who lost the second spot to Piastri after his front tires began to wear out significantly.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of defend
Verb
  • Below are the ones that will help keep the area around your nose clear and irritation-free.
    — Daley Quinn, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Plus, keeping everyone in the know manages expectations, ramps up teamwork and ensures everyone is rowing in the same direction from the start.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of keep
Verb
  • The anti-Amendment 4 website hosted by the Agency for Health Care Administration led to court challenges from people who argued the state was improperly using its official power, including one case in front of the Florida Supreme Court.
    — Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Few would argue that the tire wear shown last spring and again on Saturday was within reason.
    — Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of argue
Verb
  • That, Lee insists, is non-negotiable.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 21 Mar. 2025
  • As part of its demands for a broader ceasefire, the Kremlin laid out several tough conditions that Putin had previously insisted on – such as a halt to all foreign military aid and intelligence to Kyiv, and a halt to any Ukrainian mobilization or rearming during that period.
    — Edward Szekeres, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of insist
Verb
  • By implementing regenerative agricultural practices, SRI focuses on enhancing soil health, conserving biodiversity, reducing chemical dependency, and promoting water conservation.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The regulations were placed in an effort to conserve water and energy resources, as well as lower utility bills.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of conserve
Verb
  • The myth that trans women are a danger to cis women is a grossly transphobic stereotype with almost no real-world justification, but Rowling pins most of her anti-trans arguments on it, using her experience as a survivor of domestic abuse to justify her prejudice.
    — Aja Romano, Vox, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The funding freezes and cuts have been imposed before the completion of full investigations, and different legal rationales have been offered to justify them.
    — Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of justify
Verb
  • Survivors and community members at Florida State University came together to grieve and support each other at a vigil that drew thousands after two people were killed and more were injured in an April 17 campus shooting.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • As an entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience in starting, running and advising companies in the software and life sciences sector, his role is to support the university’s emerging entrepreneurs, equipping them build viable companies.
    — Trevor Clawson, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of support

Browse Nearby Words

Main Streets
maintain
maintainable
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Cite this Entry

“Maintain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maintain. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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