maintains

1. keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,Examples: "keep clean"; "hold in place"; "She always held herself as a lady"Synonyms: hold, keep, maintain

2. keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destructionExamples: "We preserve these archeological findings"; "The old lady could not keep up the building"; "children must be taught to conserve our national heritage"Synonyms: conserve, keep up, maintain, preserve

3. supply with necessities and supportExamples: "She alone sustained her family"; "The money will sustain our good cause"; "There's little to earn and many to keep"Synonyms: keep, maintain, sustain

4. state categoricallySynonyms: assert, asseverate, maintain

5. have and exerciseExamples: "wield power and authority"Synonyms: exert, maintain, wield

6. maintain for use and serviceExamples: "I keep a car in the countryside"; "She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips"Synonyms: keep, maintain