What is the difference between exist and subsist?

Definitions

exist

- Referring to the state of being alive or present in the world.

- Talking about the presence or occurrence of something in reality.

- Describing the fact of having objective reality or being actual.

subsist

- Referring to the act of surviving or maintaining life with minimal resources.

- Talking about the ability to continue living or existing in difficult circumstances.

- Describing the state of barely meeting one's basic needs for survival.

List of Similarities

• 1. Both words refer to the state of being or existence.
• 2. Both words are verbs that describe a condition.
• 3. Both words can be used to describe living organisms.
• 4. Both words can be used in philosophical discussions about reality and existence.
• 5. Both words can be used in scientific contexts to describe the presence or occurrence of something.

What is the difference?

• 1. Meaning: Exist refers to the objective reality of something, while subsist refers to the ability to survive or maintain life with minimal resources.
• 2. Usage: Exist is more commonly used in everyday language, while subsist is more specific and often used in technical or scientific contexts.
• 3. Connotation: Exist is neutral in connotation, while subsist can have negative connotations of barely surviving or struggling to meet basic needs.
• 4. Scope: Exist has a broader scope and can be used to describe anything that has objective reality, while subsist is more limited in scope and only describes the ability to survive with minimal resources.
• 5. Formality: Exist is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while subsist is more formal and technical in nature.

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Remember this!

Exist and subsist are two words that describe the state of being or existence. However, the difference between them lies in their meaning and usage. Exist refers to the objective reality of something, while subsist refers to the ability to survive or maintain life with minimal resources. While exist is more commonly used in everyday language, subsist is more specific and often used in technical or scientific contexts.