survive

sur·vive

verb \sər-ˈvīv\

sur·vivedsur·viv·ing

Definition of SURVIVE

intransitive verb

1

: to remain alive or in existence : live on

2

: to continue to function or prosper

transitive verb

1

: to remain alive after the death of <he is survived by his wife>

2

: to continue to exist or live after <survived the earthquake>

3

: to continue to function or prosper despite : withstand <they survived many hardships>

— sur·vi·vor \-ˈvī-vər\ noun

Examples of SURVIVE

1. I don't see how any creature can survive under those conditions.
2. bacteria that survive in extreme temperatures
3. Only a few written records survive from those times.
4. These ancient practices still survive in some regions.
5. Some of the original bridges survive.
6. Many businesses are struggling to survive in today's economy.
7. Only his son survived him.
8. She survived her husband by only a few years.
9. He survived a political scandal and was elected to the state legislature.
10. The company survived the recession.

Origin of SURVIVE

Middle English, to outlive, from Anglo-French survivre, from Latin supervivere, from super- + vivere to live — more at quick

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to SURVIVE

Synonyms: ride (out), weather, make it (through)

Antonyms: fail, fizzle, give out, go out, peter (out), run out

Related Words: outlast, outlive, wear out; pull through; abide, continue, endure, hang on, hold on, hold out, hold up, last, lead, persist, stand, stick out, withstand; be, breathe, exist, live, subsist; flourish, prosper, thrive

Near Antonyms: croak [slang], decease, depart, die, expire, pass (on), pass away, perish, succumb; disappear, evaporate, fade, vanish; cease, end, stop

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with SURVIVE

alive, archive, Argive, arrive, back dive, beehive, connive, contrive, crash-dive, deprive, derive, disk drive, endive, hard drive, high five, high-five, line drive, nosedive, ogive, revive, self-drive, skin-dive, skydive, swan dive, take five, test-drive