maintained
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to have looked after something so that it stays in good working order.
v.to have performed regular repairs or checks to keep a physical object or system in a functional state.
Simple“The old car was well maintained and still ran perfectly after twenty years.”
In context“The engineering team maintained the bridge throughout the decade, ensuring that structural fatigue never compromised the safety of the commuters.”
Usageoften used in the passive voice to describe infrastructure or machinery.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to have continued to say that something is true, even if others disagree.
v.to have asserted a position or claim strongly and consistently.
Simple“He maintained that he was innocent even after the police showed him the evidence.”
In context“Throughout the cross-examination, the witness maintained that she had seen the defendant leave the building shortly before the alarm sounded.”
Usageoften followed by a 'that' clause.
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to have kept something going at the same level or speed.
v.to have caused a process or state to continue without a decrease in intensity or quality.
Simple“The runner maintained a steady pace for the entire marathon.”
In context“The security forces maintained order during the protest, preventing the situation from escalating into a violent confrontation.”
Usagefrequently used with abstract nouns like 'silence', 'order', or 'speed'.
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.describing something that is clean, tidy, and in good repair.
adj.characterised by regular care and attention to detail; often used in real estate or technical contexts.
Simple“The house had a beautifully maintained garden with no weeds in sight.”
In context“The facility was a model of a maintained environment, where every piece of equipment was calibrated and polished daily.”
Antonymsdilapidatedrun down
Usage maintained his innocence
“She maintained her innocence during the trial, claiming that she had not meant to serve beef wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms to her lunch guests in July 2023.”
“Hodgkinson has long maintained that she has felt the world record is within her reach.”