Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Capable of being maintained or continued over the long term: Describes a process, practice, or system that can be upheld or continued without exhausting resources or causing severe ecological damage.
   • Capable of being supported or withstood: Describes something that can be endured, defended, or upheld against challenge.
   • Capable of being confirmed or proven: (Less common) Describes an argument or claim that can be verified or substantiated.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The company is committed to sustainable business practices that protect the environment.
  • We need to find a sustainable source of funding for this project.
  • The evidence presented made his argument seem sustainable in court.

Advanced Usage

• "Sustainable development": Economic development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

  • The conference focused on strategies for sustainable development in urban areas.

• "Environmentally sustainable": Specifically emphasizing practices that do not harm the environment.

  • They only use environmentally sustainable materials in their packaging.

• "Financially sustainable": Describing a model or project that can maintain itself financially over time.

  • The new pricing model must be financially sustainable for the business to survive.

Variants and Related Words

• Sustain (verb): To support, uphold, or maintain; to undergo or suffer (an injury, loss, etc.).
  • The pillars sustain the weight of the roof.
• Sustainability (noun): The quality of being sustainable, especially regarding the use of resources.
  • The long-term sustainability of the fishery is in question.
• Unsustainable (adjective): Not capable of being maintained or continued.
  • The current rate of deforestation is unsustainable.

Synonyms

• Maintainable: Capable of being kept in existence or continued.
• Endurable: Able to be tolerated or borne.
• Defensible: Justifiable by argument; capable of being protected.
• Viable: Capable of working successfully; feasible.

Antonyms

• Unsustainable: Not able to be maintained at the current rate or level.
• Exhaustible: Capable of being used up completely.
• Unviable: Not capable of working successfully or being sustained.

Related Phrases

• Sustainable growth: Economic growth that can continue without causing environmental or social problems.
  • The country aims for sustainable growth rather than rapid exploitation.
• Sustainable living: A lifestyle that attempts to reduce an individual's or society's use of Earth's natural resources.
  • They moved to the countryside to pursue a more sustainable living.
• Sustainable energy: Energy that is produced and used in ways that support long-term ecological balance, such as solar or wind power.
  • Investing in sustainable energy is crucial for our future.

Adjective

1. capable of being sustained