What does *sustain* most nearly mean?

The term sustain is commonly understood in the context of maintaining or supporting something over time. While it can imply tolerating something, its primary meaning aligns closely with the idea of providing support or keeping something going. Therefore, sustain means to continue or uphold something, ensuring its existence or persistence.

In this case, the other options do not align with the core meaning of sustain. For instance, abandon suggests giving up or leaving something behind, while reject conveys a sense of dismissal or refusal. Although tolerate can relate to putting up with something, it lacks the stronger connotation of maintaining or supporting that sustain carries. Hence, while tolerate is related, it does not capture the full essence of sustain, which encompasses a broader idea of ongoing support or maintenance.