1
as in to preserve
to keep in good condition
he repairs and maintains antique cars as a hobby
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to keep
to pay the living expenses of
we simply cannot afford to maintain a horse
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to insist
to state as a fact usually forcefully
he maintains that there is indeed hard evidence for extraterrestrial visitors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of maintain
As a result, he has been tasked more with linking play between the lines, maintaining structure, and driving Madrid up the pitch.
—
Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 22 May 2025
The narrative that recycling can meaningfully counteract the plastic crisis was constructed by the oil and gas industry to maintain public demand for plastic and delay regulation of its production.
—Aissa Dearing, JSTOR Daily, 22 May 2025
Playing in the first group, Wong birdied the second hole and made up for his lone mistake (a bogey on No. 3) with birdies at seven and 11 to maintain a slim lead.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
The last four shows have mostly maintained the same set list, including her beloved throwback hits.
—Caché McClay, USA Today, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for maintain
Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 22 May 2025
The narrative that recycling can meaningfully counteract the plastic crisis was constructed by the oil and gas industry to maintain public demand for plastic and delay regulation of its production.
—Aissa Dearing, JSTOR Daily, 22 May 2025
Playing in the first group, Wong birdied the second hole and made up for his lone mistake (a bogey on No. 3) with birdies at seven and 11 to maintain a slim lead.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
The last four shows have mostly maintained the same set list, including her beloved throwback hits.
—Caché McClay, USA Today, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for maintain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maintain
Verb
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The approved budget would preserve the portion of the program for those 65 and older, allocating $110 million for that coverage.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2025
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For You, these acts are attempts to preserve art’s political orientation as left-wing and capitalism-critical—albeit produced under extreme capitalist conditions and in full awareness of that cognitive dissonance.—
Diedrich Diederichsen,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
Verb
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A day after the singer, 38, shocked fans by walking the 2025 American Music Awards red carpet with a blonde bob — a far departure from her trademark long locks — Pratt, 41, defended his wife against hate comments.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
28 May 2025
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He’s defended cops and lawyers who’ve gotten in trouble and crafted a reputation as a pugnacious advocate for often high-profile clients in high-stakes cases.—
Dan Sullivan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Cruising Altitude: Air traffic control keeps planes moving.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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London kept control of the archipelago and renamed it as the British Indian Ocean Territory.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
22 May 2025
Verb
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The news roughly coincided with the promotion of a book whose authors argue that his inner circle engaged in misdirection, if not obfuscation, about his mental acuity near the end of his term.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
22 May 2025
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In a recent interview with The Bee, Weber criticized new efforts — including from members of her own party — to speed up California’s vote count, arguing elections officials already prioritize security and voter access.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2025
Verb
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The administration can also insist that other countries pay prices commensurate with the value of new medicines as a condition of striking trade agreements with the United States.—
Sally Pipes,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
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Her father’s second-in-command, the handsome Jack Dean, insists family members play fair in obeying their father’s will.—
Lorraine Berry,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
Verb
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The adults can survive for up to five months without food, remaining still to conserve their energy.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 May 2025
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The Nicaraguan native and engineer bought the land with the intent to conserve the tropical forest and its wildlife.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
22 May 2025
Verb
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This tactic is sometimes used to justify letting an employee go under the guise of poor performance.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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The Alien Enemies Act was written during a phony war and is now being used to justify another phony war.—
Richard Stengel,
Time,
23 May 2025
Verb
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But Andrea Jenkins, who represents the area and supports the city's plan, said residents around the square want vehicle traffic.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
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Connecticut has a chance to show a different way – to support workers who exercise their right to organize and bargain collectively by stopping discriminatory treatment of striking workers who file for state unemployment insurance.—
Ed Hawthorne,
Hartford Courant,
25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maintain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maintain. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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