How to Pronounce Sustained

To pronounce "sustained", say SUST-ain-ed — 3 syllables, IPA /səˈsteɪnd/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

sustained

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Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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Syllables

Letters

/səˈsteɪnd/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “sustained”

"sustained" has 3 syllables: sust-ain-ed. It rhymes with restrained and constrained, if that helps it stick.

What does sustained mean?

verb

To maintain, or keep in existence.
“The city came under sustained attack by enemy forces.”
To provide for or nourish.
“provisions to sustain an army”

adjective

Held continuously at a certain level.
Held at a certain pitch.

Synonyms

constant continuous steady

Words that rhyme with sustained

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

restrained constrained strained ascertained unrestrained ordained explained obtained drained attained unconstrained ingrained

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "sustained"?▾

"Sustained" has 3 syllables: sust · ain · ed.

What is the IPA transcription of "sustained"?▾

The IPA transcription of "sustained" is /səˈsteɪnd/.

What does "sustained" mean?▾

Sustained: To maintain, or keep in existence.

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