Maintain

/meɪnˈteɪn/ · verb

Meaning

To keep up; to preserve; to uphold (a state, condition etc.)..

Definitions by Sense

1. To keep up; to preserve; to uphold (a state, condition etc.).
2. To declare or affirm (a clause) to be true; to assert.
3. To keep in good condition and working order.
4. (obsolete, transitive) To support (someone), to back up or assist (someone) in an action.
5. (African-American Vernacular, slang, intransitive) To keep composed; to keep one's head up; to stay confident, strong, self-assured; to avoid being a victim; to keep oneself from falling apart.

Example Sentences

maintain contact

maintain order

maintain a relationship

It’s important to maintain good posture while sitting.

She struggled to maintain her composure under pressure.

Ther[idamas]. Won with thy words, & conquered with thy lookes, I yeeld my ſelfe, my men & horſe to thee: To be partaker of thy good or ill, As long as life maintaines Theridimas.

This time was most dreadful for Lilian. Thrown on her own resources and almost penniless, she maintained herself and paid the rent of a wretched room near the hospital by working as a charwoman, sempstress, anything. In a moment she had dropped to the level of a casual labourer.

Mancini's men were far from their best but dug in to earn a 10th win in 11 league games and an eighth successive victory in all competitions to maintain their five-point lead at the top of the table.

Synonyms for maintain

Antonyms for maintain

Related Words

Word Forms

• maintains
• maintaining
• maintained

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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