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sustentar means to support / to sustain — a common term in Academic & Exam Prep. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: August 29, 2025

🧠 Academic & Exam Prep

sustentar

verb • /[soos-ten-TAR]/

to support / to sustain

Example:

Las conclusiones deben sustentarse con evidencia clara.

The conclusions must be supported by clear evidence.

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🧠 What does sustentar mean?

The Spanish verb "sustentar" means to support or sustain something. It can refer to physical support, like a pillar holding up a roof, or it can mean to maintain something over time, such as sustaining a conversation or supporting a theory with evidence. In academic contexts, it's often used to describe supporting an argument or thesis.

📚 Extra examples

  • Necesito más evidencia para sustentar mi argumento.
    I need more evidence to support my argument.
  • Las columnas sustentan el techo del templo.
    The columns support the roof of the temple.
  • Es difícil sustentar una familia con un solo salario.
    It's difficult to sustain a family on a single salary.
  • El gobierno no pudo sustentar su política económica.
    The government couldn't sustain its economic policy.
  • Necesitas comer bien para sustentar tu energía durante el día.
    You need to eat well to sustain your energy throughout the day.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to support / to sustain' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'to support' or 'to sustain' in Spanish is "sustentar."
How do you pronounce 'sustentar' in Spanish?
It's pronounced soo-sten-TAHR, with the stress on the last syllable.
How do you use 'sustentar' in a sentence?
Here are a few examples: 'Las pruebas sustentan la teoría' (The evidence supports the theory). 'El puente sustenta el peso de los coches' (The bridge supports the weight of the cars). 'Ella trabaja duro para sustentar a su familia' (She works hard to support her family).
What is the English translation of 'sustentar'?
The English translations of 'sustentar' are 'to support' and 'to sustain'.
Does 'sustentar' change for gender or number?
No, 'sustentar' conjugates regularly, but it doesn't change based on gender. It does change based on the grammatical person and tense, like most verbs.
Is 'sustentar' common in everyday Spanish?
While understood by all, it's more common in formal or academic settings than in casual conversation. You're more likely to hear it in a lecture or read it in a scientific paper than hear it at the market.
Does 'sustentar' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'sustentar' doesn't have any slang meanings or double meanings. It's a fairly straightforward verb.
Is 'sustentar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the meaning and usage of 'sustentar' are consistent across both Spain and Latin America.
How do you conjugate 'sustentar' in Spanish?
Here's the present tense conjugation: Yo sustento Tú sustentas Él/Ella/Usted sustenta Nosotros/Nosotras sustentamos Vosotros/Vosotras sustentáis Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes sustentan

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "sustentar"

Synonyms: mantener, apoyar, sostener
Opposites: debilitar, desgastar, socavar

💡 Did You Know?

While 'sustentar' might sound similar to the English word 'sustenance,' they aren't perfect translations. 'Sustenance' refers to food or nourishment, while 'sustentar' means to support or sustain something, which could include sustenance but also many other things.

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