subsist

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verb sub·sist \ səb-ˈsist \

Definition of subsist

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

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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 of subsist from the Web

Still, this diversity in fashion should not be perceived as trendy, but rather subsist as a permanent and perpetual state in the industry.

— jihane hajby, Allure, "Why We Need to Discuss The Hijab in Western Fashion," 20 Aug. 2017
The country has a booming tech sector, but still half the nation subsists through agriculture.

— pradheep j. shanker, National Review, "India at 70: The Asian Tiger Rising," 15 Aug. 2017
The house subsists on grants, resident fees of $150 a week and donations.

— arelis r. hernández, Washington Post, "Opioid crisis: In Maryland, a house of recovery and reckoning," 5 July 2017
Simmons will stay behind, leaving us to subsist on memories of last year’s summer league until training camp and the preseason arrive.

— david murphy, Philly.com, "Sixers' fate still centered on transcendental potential of Joel Embiid | David Murphy," 29 June 2017
At the same time, Hamels was never a pitcher who subsisted entirely on velocity.

— michael beller, SI.com, "Cole Hamels is struggling to miss bats, and it may signal long-term problems for the Rangers," 28 June 2017
The problem is expected to only grow as housing costs increase and the population ages and increasingly begins to subsist on a fixed income.

— joshua stewart, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Renowned homelessness expert takes San Diego job," 22 June 2017
University of Colorado football coach Mike MacIntyre will earn $16.25 million over three years while most adjunct professors earn about $3,000 to teach a three-credit course and graduate student teaching assistants don’t earn enough to subsist.

— dp opinion, The Denver Post, "CU football coach makes millions, while instructors make thousands," 14 June 2017
Unable to chew, Wadsack mostly subsists on smoothies and purees these days.

— jocelyn wiener, sacbee, "She keeps her teeth in a box – evidence of a system that failed her," 8 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'subsist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of subsist

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

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First Known Use: 1549

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