Subsisting

The act or process of maintaining or supporting oneself at a minimal level, often with limited resources. It implies a continued existence, typically under difficult circumstances, focusing on survival rather than comfort or prosperity. It can refer to the act of remaining alive or in existence, persevering through hardship, or depending on something for sustenance. The term highlights a bare existence, focusing on meeting basic needs like food, shelter, and water, often characterized by a lack of excess or luxury. subsisting can involve using minimal or available resources to achieve survival or basic needs. This implies both biological and metaphorical meanings, suggesting a struggle for continuation.

Subsisting meaning with examples

• After the devastating drought, the villagers were left subsisting on meager rations of rice and whatever meager vegetation they could find. They faced severe malnutrition, and their existence was a daily struggle for survival. The relief effort was crucial for their ability to continue to live, providing aid that allowed them to overcome extreme limitations to food sources.
• The artist, struggling to make a name for himself, was forced to live in a cramped studio, subsisting on instant noodles and the occasional donated meal. He poured his heart into his work, hoping to eventually break through, but his meager income forced him to survive with extreme frugality. The artist's financial constraints meant he had to rely heavily on his existing resources.
• The endangered species, its natural habitat destroyed by deforestation, was barely subsisting in a fragmented environment. Conservationists worked tirelessly to restore their territory, desperately seeking to provide the resources necessary for them to avoid extinction. Their survival was a daily battle, clinging to life by a thread.
• In the aftermath of the economic collapse, many families were subsisting on government aid, facing extreme challenges. They faced an overwhelming fight for survival and had to rely on charity to avoid extreme deprivation. The situation underscored the vulnerability of their circumstances, pushing them to try and find new economic sources.