Collocations for "sustain"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "sustain" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
sustain
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.v
- sustain a [structure] with [pillars, beams, steel]
- the [bridge, beams] [can, must, will] sustain the weight
- sustain the weight of the [vehicles, roof]
- sustain [the heat, these levels, his weight, a note]
- sustain a [motion, conviction, objection]
- the [motion] was sustained
- sustain a [family, charity, child]
- enough (food) to sustain him
- they were sustained by [handouts, charity, their family]
- sustain [severe, heavy, drastic] losses
- sustain (severe) [injuries, losses, blows]
- compensated for [all losses, any injury, any damage] sustained
- sustain [a conversation, efforts, growth]
- has no sustain
- the [guitarist, keyboard player] used sustain
- held her sustain on the high notes
- [used, stepped on] the sustain pedal
'sustain' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):