sus‧tain W3 AC / səsteɪn / 动词 [及物动词]

1 make something continue to make something continue to exist or happen for a period of time 同义词 maintain :

She found it difficult to sustain the children’s interest.

He was incapable of sustaining close relationships with women.

the policies necessary to sustain economic growth → sustained

2 suffer formal to suffer damage, an injury, or loss of money :

Two of the firefighters sustained serious injuries.

Some nearby buildings sustained minor damage.

The company has sustained heavy financial losses this year.

3 food/drink formal if food or drink sustains a person, animal, or plant, it makes them able to continue living → sustenance :

They gave me barely enough food to sustain me.

4 give strength formal to make someone feel strong and hopeful :

The thought of seeing her again was all that sustained me.

5 weight formal to hold up the weight of something 同义词 support :

He leant against her so heavily that she could barely sustain his weight.

6 idea formal to support an idea or argument, or prove that it is right :

This argument is difficult to sustain.