subsist v. + Add to list US //səbˈsɪst// UK //sʌbsˈɪst// sub·sist Archaic SynonymsEtymology Synonyms existlivesurviveOriginLATsubsistō→ENsubsist From Latin subsistō (“halt, stop”), from sub (“below”) + sistō (“stand, place”). Compare consist, desist, exist, insist, persist.