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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Sustain: Meaning, Examples, and Usage Guide (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：keep going (sustain)

sustain 🔊

/səˈsteɪn/

To keep something going at the same level for a long time.

keep going 🔊

➕

/kiːp ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

To maintain something at a steady level over a period of time, often referring to effort, interest, or a state.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin sus- (up from under) + tenere (hold): 'to hold up'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'sus' (under) + 'tain' (hold) → hold from under, like a pillar propping up a building.

📖 Example

Her resilient spirit helped her sustain a positive outlook on life throughout her recovery. 🔊 Her resilient spirit helped her keep a positive outlook on life during her recovery.

🔗 Collocations

sustain growth – maintain continuous growth over time

sustain interest – keep someone interested for a long period

sustain efforts – continue putting in effort consistently

🔄 Synonyms

maintain (v.) – to cause something to continue at the same level

continue (v.) – to keep doing something without stopping

prolong (v.) – to make something last longer than usual

🚫 Antonyms

stop (v.) – to cause something to cease or end

cease (v.) – to come to an end or discontinue

abandon (v.) – to give up or stop supporting something

🌱 Derivatives

sustainable (adj.) – able to be maintained over time

sustenance (n.) – food or drink that maintains life and health

sustainer (n.) – something or someone that sustains

📖 Cultural Story

Sustain comes from Latin 'sustinere' (sus- 'up from under' + tenere 'to hold'), originally meaning to hold up or support. It evolved in Middle English to also mean to keep something going.

Meaning 2：support the weight (sustain)

sustain 🔊

/səˈsteɪn/

To bear the weight of something physically or to support an idea.

Sustain meaning support weight rock climbing grip

support the weight 🔊

➕

/səˈpɔːrt ðə weɪt/

To bear the weight of something physically or to endure a load or pressure.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The old bridge’s pillars could no longer sustain the weight of the heavy truck. 🔊 The old bridge's pillars could no longer bear the weight of the heavy truck.

🔗 Collocations

sustain weight – bear a physical load without breaking

sustain damage – experience harm or injury

sustain injury – receive physical harm

🔄 Synonyms

support (v.) – to hold up or bear the weight of something

bear (v.) – to carry or withstand a load or burden

endure (v.) – to suffer or withstand something difficult

🚫 Antonyms

collapse (v.) – to fall down or give way under pressure

drop (v.) – to let something fall or lose support

give way (v.) – to break or yield under strain

🌱 Derivatives

sustainable (adj.) – able to be maintained or supported

unsustained (adj.) – not supported or maintained

sustaining (adj.) – providing support or nourishment