maintain

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Studies have shown, for example, that the brain selectively attends to positive information, and that people tend to discount negative predictions in order to maintain an optimistic bias. Richard A. Friedman, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025 The Gordons have been left deeply screwed up by their deceased father — not just callous and clueless like all the ultra-rich, but unable to maintain healthy relationships with either partners or one another. Alison Herman, Variety, 27 Feb. 2025 Though brands like Frame are preparing for a skinny jean comeback, Candiani anticipates wide-leg and baggy jeans to maintain their place as the most in-demand fits. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 Feb. 2025 Attorneys for Bailey maintain that hospitals also must provide pelvic exams. Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for maintain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maintain
Verb
  • Eventually, the city reached a compromise on the rail issue: a single track would be preserved for freight service.
    Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2025
  • With initiatives like self-reliance, high-tech manufacturing, and circular textiles, India is not only preserving its heritage but also shaping the future of the global textile industry.
    Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Musk and President Donald Trump have defended the requirement, which calls on federal workers to list five personal accomplishments from the past week, though other White House officials had backed away from the suggestion that failing to do so will result in termination as Musk has said publicly.
    Christian Datoc, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Freire defended the title twice before adding the Bellator lightweight title to his trophy case.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The New York Yankees may have lost their superstar outfielder, Juan Soto, this offseason, but that didn't stop the front office from making moves to keep the team among the best in the league.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Many officers presumed that the only way to advance up the ranks, or avoid a hazing, or even keep their jobs, was to be supplicant to the brass.
    Marc J. Dunkelman, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The fact that he was denied once needs to be noted in any future application for practice in the Southern District, the motion argues, claiming that Buzbee only reapplied to practice in the district at the buzzer in this case, and has failed to do so for his other civil proceedings.
    Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Pina’s lawyers argued that he and the San Jose Police Department were protected under qualified immunity, a legal principle that shields government officials from most civil suits.
    Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Some argue that excessive washing strips natural oils, while others insist regular cleansing is necessary for scalp health.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • There’s much misinformation about who actually pays tariffs Trump is a proponent of tariffs, insisting that they are paid for by foreign countries.
    Paul Wiseman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Designed to combat soil erosion, conserve water, and make steep landscapes accessible, the system is being used not only across the United States but also in places like Europe, Australia, Panama, and Haiti, where rehabilitating land means restoring ecosystems.
    Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Why Daylight Saving Time Still Exists (For Now) Daylight Saving Time dates back to World War I, intended to conserve energy by extending evening daylight.
    Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Recent Inflation Trends The FOMC had been hoping inflation would trend closer to its 2% annual target to justify further rate cuts.
    Simon Moore, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Our expert take The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee.
    Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Now, a note of caution here: mods are not yet officially supported in the game.
    Barry Collins, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • European leaders largely supported Zelenskyy following his Friday Oval Office meeting with Trump.
    Luke Garrett, NPR, 2 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Maintain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maintain. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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