make a living

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.

“You’ve got to survive the fire, and then you’ve got to be able to figure out how to make a living in a landscape that looks very different than it did a week ago.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

Many of the “ritual entrepreneurs” he profiles are people who make a living by tailoring practice to the individual tastes involved.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

He found his way to Ramallah, where he opened a successful downtown falafel restaurant to make a living, and above all feed his family still in Gaza.

From Barron's • May 9, 2026

Supplemental Security Income, which serves 7.5 million Americans who are unable to make a living because of severe disabilities or destitution in old age, has never been easy to qualify for.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026

A love song for the wife, a joyful melody for the kids, all of it backed up by the steady beat of a man marching to make a living.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx