Maintain Maintained Meɪnˈteɪn Difficult Position Extra Examples Maintaining

• to maintain law and order/standards/a balance/control
• anu has maintained its position as australia's top university.
• the two countries have always maintained close relations.
• she maintained a dignified silence.

maintain

Verb Forms

1. to make something continue at the same level, standard, etc.
• SYNONYM preserve
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/preserve_2
• to maintain law and order/standards/a balance/control
• ANU has maintained its position as Australia's top university.
• The two countries have always maintained close relations.
• She maintained a dignified silence.
• to maintain prices (= prevent them from falling or rising)

Extra Examples

• Building and maintaining good relationships is an important part of what we do.
• He emphasized the need to maintain the status quo.
• He successfully maintained the financial health of the company.
• The government's position became increasingly difficult to maintain.
• They are looking to cut costs while simultaneously maintaining the existing levels of service.
• This pace cannot be maintained indefinitely.
• Security personnel struggled to maintain order.
• Email is used to maintain contact with members.
2. to keep a building, a machine, etc. in good condition by checking or repairing it regularly
• The house is large and difficult to maintain.

Extra Examples

• a poorly maintained central heating system
• I do a lot of mechanical work and I maintain my own car.
• The grounds are beautifully maintained.
• The wheel spats collect debris and make it difficult to maintain the brakes.
3. to support somebody/something over a long period of time by giving money, paying for food, etc.
• SYNONYM keep
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/keep_2
• Her income was barely enough to maintain one child, let alone three.

Extra Examples

• His priority is to maintain and protect his family.
• Under the terms of the agreement she had forfeited her right to be maintained by her husband.
• Maintaining a modern, well-equipped armed force is a challenge.
4. to keep stating that something is true, even though other people do not agree or do not believe it
• SYNONYM insist
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/insist
• The men maintained (that) they were out of the country when the crime was committed.
• It is difficult to maintain that such a harsh punishment was justified.
• She has always maintained her innocence.
• ‘But I'm innocent!’ she maintained.

Word Origin

• Middle English (also in the sense ‘practise an action habitually’): from Old French maintenir, from Latin manu tenere ‘hold in the hand’.