sustained

[suh-steynd]

adjective

1. 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.

2. (of an injury, cost, etc.) borne, experienced, or suffered.

   Homeowner’s insurance is not available to cover sustained losses from a radiological accident.

3. upheld or confirmed as valid.

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

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of sustain.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sustained¹

sustain ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

But Khansarinia sustained an injury early in the third quarter and left the stadium on a crutches, a brace on his knee left.

From Los Angeles Times

The party's annual conference is an increasingly professional affair and Reform's sustained lead in the opinion polls has clearly been noted by public affairs professionals.

From BBC

He concluded that any response from the government to his review "must be rooted in sustained dialogue with all communities and stakeholders, and reflect a genuine commitment to shared governance".

From BBC

He sustained multiple serious injuries, according to the complaint filed in California’s Central District federal court on Aug. 25, including a fractured jaw, a punctured lung and a bruised collarbone.

From Los Angeles Times

The father died at the scene, Portuguese news outlet Observador reported, while the mother was said to be in a critical condition in hospital, and a three-year-old boy sustained minor injuries.

From BBC

Related Words

• constant 
• continued 
• continuous 
• uninterrupted