maintain

Academic Word List, sublist 2.

About 45.52 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To keep up; to preserve; to uphold (a state, condition etc.). .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}

   maintain contact

2. verb To declare or affirm (a clause) to be true; to assert.
3. verb To keep in good condition and working order.
4. verb To support (someone), to back up or assist (someone) in an action.
5. verb To keep composed; to keep one's head up; to stay confident, strong, self-assured; to avoid being a victim; to keep oneself from falling apart.

   No matter what, you gotta maintain.

Similar words

sustain keep up keep uphold wield defend hold exert observe assert

Often followed by

the a that their an its and his it

Word family

maintainabilities maintainability maintainable maintained maintainer maintainers maintaining maintains maintenance