eke out

(verb) supplement what is thought to be deficient. Synonyms: eke out, fill out. Examples: "He eked out his meager pay by giving private lessons." "Braque eked out his collages with charcoal."

(verb) live from day to day, as with some hardship. Synonyms: eke out. Example: "He eked out his years in great poverty."

(verb) make by laborious and precarious means. Synonyms: eke out, squeeze out. Example: "He eked out a living as a painter."

(verb) obtain with difficulty. Synonyms: eke out, squeeze out. Example: "He eked out some information from the archives."