English dictionary



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English verb: maintain

1. maintain (stative) keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,


SamplesKeep clean.
Hold in place.
She always held herself as a lady.
The students keep me on my toes.


Synonymshold, keep


Pattern of useSomething ----s something Adjective/Noun.
Somebody ----s somebody PP.
Somebody ----s something PP


Narrower (hyponym)bear on, carry on, conserve, continue, distance, hold over, housekeep, preserve, preserve, pressurise, pressurize, uphold

2. maintain (possession) keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction


SamplesWe preserve these archeological findings.
The old lady could not keep up the building.
Children must be taught to conserve our national heritage.
The museum curator conserved the ancient manuscripts.


Synonymsconserve, keep up, preserve


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)keep


Narrower (hyponym)embalm, hold the line, plastinate

3. maintain (consumption) supply with necessities and support


SamplesShe alone sustained her family.
The money will sustain our good cause.
There's little to earn and many to keep.


Synonymskeep, sustain


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)have, have got, hold


Narrower (hyponym)carry, patronage, reseed

4. maintain (communication) state categorically


ExamplesThey maintain that there was a traffic accident


Synonymsassert, asseverate


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE


Broader (hypernym)insist, take a firm stand


Narrower (hyponym)allege, aver, predicate, proclaim, say

5. maintain (possession) have and exercise


SamplesWield power and authority.


Synonymsexert, wield


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)have, have got, hold

6. maintain (possession) maintain for use and service


SamplesI keep a car in the countryside.
She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips.


Synonymskeep


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)have, have got, hold

7. maintain (communication) maintain by writing regular records


SamplesKeep a diary.
Maintain a record.
Keep notes.


Synonymskeep


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)enter, put down, record

8. maintain (communication) state or assert


SamplesHe maintained his innocence.


Synonymsdefend


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE


Broader (hypernym)affirm


Narrower (hyponym)vindicate

9. maintain (communication) support against an opponent


SamplesThe appellate court upheld the verdict.


Synonymsuphold


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)confirm, reassert


Narrower (hyponym)justify, vindicate

10. maintain (cognition) stick to correctly or closely


SamplesThe pianist kept time with the metronome.
Keep count.
I cannot keep track of all my employees.


Synonymskeep, observe


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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