subsist
to exist; continue in existence.
to remain alive; live, as on food, resources, etc.
to have existence in, or by reason of, something.
to reside, lie, or consist (usually followed by in).
Philosophy.
to have timeless or abstract existence, as a number, relation, etc.
to have existence, especially independent existence.
to provide sustenance or support for; maintain.
Origin of subsist
1Other words from subsist
- sub·sist·ing·ly, adverb
- pre·sub·sist, verb (used without object)
- self-sub·sist·ing, adjective
- su·per·sub·sist, verb (used without object)
Words that may be confused with subsist
- subside, subsist
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use subsist in a sentence
That’s a tall order for anybody, particularly a celebrity who’s subsisted on a diet of praise since he was a teenager.
Ethan Hawke turns his acting experience — and past infidelities — into brilliant fiction | Ron Charles | February 2, 2021 | Washington PostIn order to play the gaunt Woodroof, McConaughey went from 182 pounds to 135, subsisting on what he calls “a controlled diet.”
Matthew McConaughey In ‘Dallas Buyers Club’: From Bongos to Oscar Contender | Marlow Stern | October 30, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTSoon he was subsisting largely on sugared espresso, canned sardines, and peanut butter.
Green Snot and Deadly Snakes: Napoleon Chagnon’s Anthropological Battles | Nick Romeo | February 19, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTHe was subsisting on frogs, edible roots, and water from the river.
Ray Gardner Used Autism Training To Find William LaFever | Laura Colarusso | July 14, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTBut the novelty of Mosby's mode of warfare consisted chiefly in the manner of subsisting, quartering and protecting his men.
In relation to the still subsisting war in Europe, my proclamation of the 22d of April, 1793, is the index to my plan.
Key-Notes of American Liberty | VariousWe crawled from place to place, subsisting upon leaves, and now and then begging of the natives a morsel of cocoa-nut.
Is it guiding, controlling, giving the rule to commerce, as a subsisting thing or is it putting an end to it altogether?
Select Speeches of Daniel Webster | Daniel WebsterThe men go entirely naked, subsisting themselves by hunting and fishing, and passing much of their time in idleness or war.
The Indian in his Wigwam | Henry R. Schoolcraft
British Dictionary definitions for subsist
/ (səbˈsɪst) /
(often foll by on) to be sustained; manage to live: to subsist on milk
to continue in existence
(foll by in) to lie or reside by virtue (of); consist
philosophy
to exist as a concept or relation rather than a fact
to be conceivable
(tr) obsolete to provide with support
Origin of subsist
1Derived forms of subsist
- subsistent, adjective
- subsister, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse