Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for make a living. Search instead for making living.
Definitions

make a living

VERB
support
Synonyms
STRONGEST
back encourage finance fund maintain raise set up sponsor strengthen subsidize uphold
STRONG
angel bankroll chaperon cherish feed fortify foster guard keep nourish nurse prop stake stiffen stroke succor sustain underwrite
WEAK
attend to be a source of strength bring up buoy up care for earn one's keep give a leg up keep an eye on look after pay expenses of pay for pick up the check put up money for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
conclude depress discourage dissuade finish hurt ignore neglect take weaken
STRONG
abandon starve
WEAK
contradict disapprove let down let go oppose refuse reject release

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He said it was "becoming tougher" for residents to make a living and believed overturning Article 4 was a "little David and Goliath moment" for campaigners.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

So does his amazement that someone like himself can make a living through long-term investing and helping others to do so.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

And the 300,000 Cubans who make a living off the tourist industry are already feeling the pinch.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Though he found freedom in Glasgow’s queer community, he couldn’t make a living there.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

He found quite soon that even if he had ten thousand acres of hill country he could not make a living on the bony soil without water.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.