subsistence

Definitions

The action or fact of maintaining or supporting oneself at a minimum level.

The means of sustaining life; the bare necessities required for survival.

Examples

Many families in the remote village rely on subsistence farming to provide enough food for their daily needs.

The harsh climate makes it difficult for the nomadic tribe to move beyond a level of mere subsistence.

After the economic collapse, the community shifted toward a subsistence lifestyle to survive the winter.

Synonyms

livelihood sustenance survival maintenance living nourishment support

Antonyms

starvation deprivation famine lack insufficiency death nonexistence