sustain
verb [ T ]
uk/səˈsteɪn/ usto make or allow something to continue for a period of time:
The board accepted that the growth rates could not be sustained indefinitely.
to experience loss, injury, or damage:
As a result of the oil spill, BP sustained heavy losses.
The port sustained severe damage in the storm.
to provide support for an idea, statement, legal argument, etc.:
The data meant the government could not sustain its argument that lower duty on fuel would lead to lower spending on schools and hospitals.
Only in one case could the auditors find evidence to sustain a claim of criminal behaviour.