1
as in existence
the fact of being or of being real
believes in the subsistence of a soul as a separate entity from the body
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in continuation
uninterrupted or lasting existence
the subsistence of the patient's infection, even after the use of antibiotics, had the doctors puzzled
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of subsistence
The number of asylum seekers receiving state support in the form of accommodation or subsistence payments was 107,003 — down 5% on the previous year.
—
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Whimbrels and other migratory birds face challenges including climate change, which is making hurricanes and tropical storms more frequent and more intense; rising sea levels; hunting, for both subsistence and sport; and habitat loss.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
This was the local method of refrigeration, and the villagers survived on subsistence hunting.
—Ken Harbaugh, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
Although plants played a central role in subsistence for centuries, Neolithic communities heavily relied on human and animal figures, with scarce traces of plant visual representation, such as flowers, shrubs, and branches.
—New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subsistence
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Whimbrels and other migratory birds face challenges including climate change, which is making hurricanes and tropical storms more frequent and more intense; rising sea levels; hunting, for both subsistence and sport; and habitat loss.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
This was the local method of refrigeration, and the villagers survived on subsistence hunting.
—Ken Harbaugh, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
Although plants played a central role in subsistence for centuries, Neolithic communities heavily relied on human and animal figures, with scarce traces of plant visual representation, such as flowers, shrubs, and branches.
—New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subsistence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subsistence
Noun
-
The sequel gets right to the fun with limitless nods to the game, after the 2023 movie set up the rules of the game—which fans have known for decades—while introducing Mario and Luigi (Charlie Day) to the magical world just beyond their Brooklyn existence.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Dozens of amateur and professional photographers were invited to find beauty in the invisible world of force fields and subatomic particles, which blip into existence for fractions of a second and hold secrets about the origin and fate of the universe.—
Zack Savitsky,
Quanta Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Transformation is therefore not a departure from our heritage, but a continuation of it.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The initiative was intended as a more aggressive continuation of similar efforts launched under President Joe Biden, whose attorney general Merrick Garland had filed criminal charges against Hamas.—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This lack of strategic continuity is confusing, even for the players.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Marketers and agency partners rotate, while APR remains, providing continuity and historical context.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Because the case will be decided by Cook County Judge Carl Boyd instead of a jury, the trial is not subject to the same time pressures and may have long continuances.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
As the clock ticks toward the start of the 2026 regular season, Bubic needed only a few minutes to remind everyone that his 2025 All-Star campaign wasn’t a fluke … but the continuance of his march to stardom.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For Samuel, Sargool and Yousif, the recognition speaks to the years of persistence and hard work that went into forming the program in order to help students feel more valued in their language and culture.—
Alexandra Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
What stands out is a common thread of persistence and impact.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Pain often dismissed Breast cancer survival rates have steadily increased since the 1980s thanks to improved cancer screening, genetic testing, better treatments and a rise in mastectomy surgeries.—
Brett Kelman,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Under survival training, airmen are taught to stabilize themselves in the immediate aftermath of an incident, administering self-aid if wounded and securing basic necessities such as shelter, water and food, according to publicly available Air Force training materials.—
Luis Martinez,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subsistence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subsistence. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
