subsist

verb

sub·​sist səb-ˈsist How to pronounce subsist (audio)
subsisted; subsisting; subsists
Synonyms of subsistnext

intransitive verb

1
a
: to have existence : be
b
: persist, continue
2
: to have or acquire the necessities of life (such as food and clothing)
especially : to nourish oneself
subsisting on roots, berries and grubs
3
a
: to hold true
b
: to be logically conceivable as the subject of true statements

transitive verb

: to support with provisions

Synonyms of subsist

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Examples of subsist in a Sentence

The author's right to royalties shall subsist for the term of the copyright. a love that was as great as any that ever did subsist
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.
While the former requires, actually subsists, on no cookware at all, the latter requires a great big saute pan. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 23 June 2026 While tough shot-making is fun, prospects who subsist too heavily on that diet have a much higher failure rate as pros, where those shots go from hard to harder. — John Hollinger, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026 Until the money arrived, Haley had been trying to subsist largely on black coffee. — Aria Bendix, NBC news, 8 Nov. 2025 But what if their financial defenses run short of cash, or the model on which the entire AI industry subsists founders? — Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for subsist

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin subsistere to exist, from Latin, to come to a halt, remain, from sub- + sistere to come to a stand; akin to Latin stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of subsist was in 1549

Phrases Containing subsist

Rhymes for subsist

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Browse Nearby Words

subsinuous
subsist
subsistence
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Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

subsist

verb
sub·​sist səb-ˈsist How to pronounce subsist (audio)
1
: to have or continue to have existence : be, persist
2
: to have or get the necessities of life (as food and clothing)
especially : to nourish oneself
subsisting on roots and berries

More from Merriam-Webster on subsist

Nglish: Translation of subsist for Spanish Speakers

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