subsist on

verb

subsisted on; subsisting on; subsists on
: to use (something) as a way to stay alive : to live on (something)
poor people subsisting on just one or two dollars a day
The villagers subsist almost entirely on rice and fish.
(humorous) My brother subsists on pizza.

Examples of subsist on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Aguilar, who has two young daughters, says his family is subsisting on food banks and relies on donations for rent. — Naisha Roy, ProPublica, 29 Apr. 2026 In any case, the tree in question is drought-tolerant and will easily subsist on a single weekly soaking or less when its shallow roots are covered with mulch. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026 Emotional clarity and mutual understanding may also be premature at this time, even if there’s a lot of good vibes to subsist on. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026 The acquisition is a boon for the small startup, which has subsisted on $60 million over the last five years and previously struggled to stay afloat. — Elaine Chen, STAT, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subsist on

Rhymes for subsist on

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Browse Nearby Words

subsistingly
subsist on
subsite
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Cite this Entry

“Subsist on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsist%20on. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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