| verb | keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean” |
| verb | keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction “We preserve these archeological findings” |
| verb | supply with necessities and support “She alone sustained her family” |
| verb | state categorically |
| verb | have and exercise “wield power and authority” |
| verb | maintain for use and service “I keep a car in the countryside” |
| verb | maintain by writing regular records “keep a diary” |
| verb | state or assert “He maintained his innocence” |
| verb | support against an opponent “The appellate court upheld the verdict” |
| verb | stick to correctly or closely “The pianist kept time with the metronome” |
| maintainable | adjective | capable of being maintained |
| maintainer | noun | someone who upholds or maintains |
| conservation | noun | an occurrence of improvement by virtue of preventing loss or injury or other change |
| preservative | adjective | tending or having the power to preserve |
| preservation | noun | the activity of protecting something from loss or danger |
| maintenance | noun | activity involved in maintaining something in good working order |
| sustenance | noun | the financial means whereby one lives |
| keep | noun | the financial means whereby one lives |
| assertable | adjective | capable of being affirmed or asserted |
| assertion | noun | a declaration that is made emphatically (as if no supporting evidence were necessary) |
| asseveration | noun | a declaration that is made emphatically (as if no supporting evidence were necessary) |
| asseverator | noun | someone who claims to speak the truth |
| defensible | adjective | capable of being defended |
| defensive | adjective | attempting to justify or defend in speech or writing |
| upholder | noun | someone who upholds or maintains |
| observation | noun | a remark expressing careful consideration |