Synonyms

sustained

American

[suh-steynd] / səˈsteɪnd /

adjective

kept in process or continued over time; continuous.

National budgets need to reflect a sustained commitment to children's positive development, strong families, and caring communities.
(of an injury, cost, etc.) borne, experienced, or suffered.

Homeowner’s insurance is not available to cover sustained losses from a radiological accident.
upheld or confirmed as valid.

Nothing smacks more of courtroom defeat than ending a cross-examination on a sustained objection.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of sustain.

Other Word Forms

nonsustained adjective
presustained adjective
sustainedly adverb
unsustained adjective
well-sustained adjective

Etymology

Origin of sustained

sustain ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Explanation

Something that's sustained is held or maintained for a long time, keeping its strength or level consistent and unbroken. A singer's sustained note goes on and on, and a judge's sustained ruling continues to be upheld. The adjective sustained, which describes something that goes on uninterrupted for a long time, comes from the Latin word sustinere, "to hold up, support, or endure." Something sustained can be either good or bad: a sustained conflict is never good, but a sustained peace is something to be fought for.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing sustained

President Biden's Inaugural Speech (January 2021)

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The Martian

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This Week In Words: August 22–28, 2020

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“We think the current cycle is structurally tighter and more durable, underpinned by AI-driven demand and sustained supply discipline,” the analysts wrote.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

A sustained move above $75,200 could be a sign that bitcoin is finally regaining momentum after months of pressure.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

"It is backed by the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, with a total of over £270bn being invested across this Parliament."

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

“We want to have sustained success,” Roberts said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

The fortifications at Jericho were an enterprise of this kind, requiring sustained and specialized labor over a long period.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023