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Definition of sustainable

sustainable

/səˈsteɪnəbl/
sus · tain · a · ble
Adverb:sustainably
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sustainable Lexical Profile

sustainable Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Able to be maintained or continued at a certain rate or level over the long term without exhausting resources.

Example

"The company is working to build a sustainable business model that does not rely on short-term subsidies."

2

Conserving an ecological balance by avoiding the depletion of natural resources or severe damage to the environment.

Example

"Local farmers are adopting sustainable agricultural practices to protect soil health for future generations."

3

Capable of being upheld, defended, or justified with valid evidence or reasoning.

Example

"The appellate court ruled that the prosecution's legal argument was no longer sustainable given the new evidence."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for sustainable

• Nearby Words

sussex
sustain
sustainability
sustainable
sustainably
sustained
sustainedly

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the early 17th century from the verb 'sustain' (via Old French 'soustenir', from Latin 'sustinere', meaning 'to hold up or support') combined with the suffix '-able'. Its modern ecological sense gained widespread global usage following the 1987 United Nations Brundtland Report on sustainable development.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sustainable. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sustainable
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