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maintain

main·tain

maintain

 
 
pronunciation:
meIn teIn
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: maintains, maintaining, maintained
definition 1: to keep in existence; continue without making changes.
We maintained our high school friendship for many years.They maintained their agreement although neither side was happy with it.I couldn't maintain my interest in the novel, so I stopped reading it.
synonyms:
continue, sustain
antonyms:
alter, change, discontinue, sever
similar words:
keep, observe, preserve, prolong, retain, uphold
definition 2: to keep in good condition.
It's expensive to maintain a boat.
synonyms:
keep, take care of
antonyms:
neglect
similar words:
manage, preserve, retain, sustain, tend
definition 3: to pay the expenses for or of.
They have little money with which to maintain the household.
synonyms:
provide for, support, sustain
similar words:
avouch, keep, patronize, take care of
definition 4: to declare; assert.
I maintain that your conclusions are false.The suspect still maintains his innocence despite evidence to the contrary.
synonyms:
affirm, assert, aver, hold to, insist, uphold
similar words:
allege, argue, asseverate, attest, avouch, claim, contend, declare, defend, justify, plead, protest, say
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derivations: maintainable (adj.), maintainer (n.)
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