sustain

The professor had trouble sustaining students’ interest until the end of her lectures.

provisions to sustain an army

The building sustained major damage in the earthquake.

to sustain a charge, an accusation, or a proposition

A foundation sustains the superstructure; an animal sustains a load; a rope sustains a weight.

When I desir’d their leave that I might pity him, they took from me the use of mine own house, charg’d me on pain of perpetual displeasure neither to speak of him, entreat for him, nor any way sustain him.