MAINTAIN Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'maintain' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of maintain are assert , defend , justify , and vindicate . While all these words mean "to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable," maintain stresses firmness of conviction. // steadfastly maintained his innocence

Q: When would 'assert' be a good substitute for 'maintain'?

Although the words assert and maintain have much in common, assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim. // asserted her rights

Q: When could 'defend' be used to replace 'maintain'?

In some situations, the words defend and maintain are roughly equivalent. However, defend implies maintaining in the face of attack or criticism. // defended his voting record

Q: When is it sensible to use 'justify' instead of 'maintain'?

The words justify and maintain can be used in similar contexts, but justify implies showing to be true, just, or valid by appeal to a standard or to precedent. // the action was used to justify military intervention

Q: In what contexts can 'vindicate' take the place of 'maintain'?

The meanings of vindicate and maintain largely overlap; however, vindicate implies successfully defending. // his success vindicated our faith in him

maintain

verb

mān-ˈtān

Definition of maintain

as in to preserve

to keep in good condition he repairs and maintains antique cars as a hobby

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to keep

to pay the living expenses of we simply cannot afford to maintain a horse

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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

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as in to insist

to state as a fact usually forcefully he maintains that there is indeed hard evidence for extraterrestrial visitors

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How does the verb maintain differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of maintain are assert, defend, justify, and vindicate. While all these words mean "to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable," maintain stresses firmness of conviction.

steadfastly maintained his innocence

When would assert be a good substitute for maintain?

Although the words assert and maintain have much in common, assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim.

asserted her rights

When could defend be used to replace maintain?

In some situations, the words defend and maintain are roughly equivalent. However, defend implies maintaining in the face of attack or criticism.

defended his voting record

When is it sensible to use justify instead of maintain?

The words justify and maintain can be used in similar contexts, but justify implies showing to be true, just, or valid by appeal to a standard or to precedent.

the action was used to justify military intervention

In what contexts can vindicate take the place of maintain?

The meanings of vindicate and maintain largely overlap; however, vindicate implies successfully defending.

his success vindicated our faith in him

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of maintain Over the next decade, American nuclear utilities will require a massive volume of fuel to maintain grid operations. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026 The country also maintains electronic immigration records and has eliminated passport stamps. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 12 Aug. 2026 One of the few is Andie MacDowell, who’s maintained curly hair throughout her entire career, nonetheless. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026 English Heritage, the independent charity that maintains the vast National Heritage Collection, has appointed Tim Reeve as its new Chief Executive. — News Desk, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for maintain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maintain

Verb

The harder work—preserving quality, strengthening trust, protecting culture, and investing in people—often produces returns that are slower to appear.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Families with greater financial resources are often better positioned to purchase care, access expert guidance and preserve assets for future generations.

— Samir Shah, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of preserve

Verb

Skubal also issued two walks and hit a batter with a pitch in just his second career appearance at Dodger Stadium, taking the mound nine days after the defending champions acquired him from Detroit in the biggest trade of the deadline.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Asked about those changes and the growing scrutiny of the UFW's legacy, Huerta defended the organization's historic work on behalf of farmworkers while acknowledging the controversy surrounding Chavez.

— Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of defend

Verb

Entering the second half, Atlanta kept the energy going and extended their lead to 25 points in the third quarter.

— Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Cam Smith had the speed to leg out an infield single, but if Basabe could keep the ball in the infield, that would be more than enough.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of keep

Verb

That connection is ultimately what put Tupac’s life in jeopardy, Davis argued in the book Compton Street Legend, which has become a key piece of evidence in the case against him.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
No two tales of what happened to Maelor after his knight protector was shot dead agree, but the young boy was also slain on the bridge, perhaps torn apart by the mob who assailed him, arguing over what to do with the young prince.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of argue

Verb

Instead, airlines are insisting on custom designs to stand out.

— Edward Russell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
And alumni are among the college’s best ambassadors for spreading that message, insists Emma Donatille, executive director of the WCC Foundation that has handed out nearly $440,000 in scholarships over the years.

— Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of insist

Verb

Additional features In an effort to conserve even more water per flush, some American Standard toilets offer a dual-flush option.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
The hotel’s environmental commitment includes conserving resources through their rainwater collection irrigation system as well as water flow restrictors installed in all showers, toilets, and sinks.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of conserve

Verb

Southampton’s status as one of England’s premier talent houses is justified by the top of this list thanks to their sale of a 16-year-old Theo Walcott to Arsenal in January 2006.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Crump also argued that the criminal charges subsequently brought against Hackett were only brought to justify the force Arellano had already used.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of justify

Verb

The general managers described Garcia as Sanchez’s husband and as a hardworking, dedicated family man who supported not only his family in New York but also back in his home country, Colombia.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026
Institutional credit, insurance capital and private capital would support hyperscalers, frontier AI labs and companies building data centers and purchasing Nvidia chips.

— , CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of support

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“Maintain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maintain. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of maintain

verb

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