survive

verb

sur·​vive sər-ˈvīv 

survived; surviving

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

survivor

sər-ˈvī-vər 

noun

Synonyms

• ride (out)
• weather

Examples of survive in a Sentence

I don't see how any creature can survive under those conditions.

bacteria that survive in extreme temperatures

Only a few written records survive from those times.

These ancient practices still survive in some regions.

Some of the original bridges survive.

Many businesses are struggling to survive in today's economy.

Only his son survived him.

She survived her husband by only a few years.

He survived a political scandal and was elected to the state legislature.

The company survived the recession.

Recent Examples on the Web

County lawyers defending a civil claim brought by Serna’s surviving family members objected to allowing the public to see the video of Serna slumping to her death inside her Las Colinas women’s jail cell in 2019. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024

Born in the northwestern English city of Liverpool on August 26, 1912, Tinniswood has lived through two world wars – as well as the Great Influenza and Covid-19 pandemics – and also holds the record for world’s oldest surviving male World War II veteran, according to Guinness. —Amarachi Orie, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024

He is also survived by his wife, María del Carmen Castellón. —Brian Brant, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024

Murray is survived by son Drew, niece Tammie Murray, nephews Anthony Murray and Kevin Murray, grand niece April Cohee, and grand nephews Isaiah Murray and Corey Murray. —Michaela Zee, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024

He is survived by his wife, a son, 18, and a daughter, 5. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024

The surviving ones are now living in the wrong waterway. —Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 5 Apr. 2024

The rare surviving examples tend to be too damaged or too difficult to display. —Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024

Of those 100 surviving copies, 78 are in good enough condition to be sold or auctioned, according to CGC. —Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to outlive, from Anglo-French survivre, from Latin supervivere, from super- + vivere to live — more at quick entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

survive

verb

sur·​vive sər-ˈvīv 

survived; surviving

1

: to remain alive : continue to exist

2

: to remain alive after the death of

survived by three children

3

: to continue to exist or live after

survived the flood

survivor

-ˈvī-vər 

noun

Medical Definition

survive

verb

sur·​vive sər-ˈvīv 

survived; surviving

intransitive verb

: to remain alive or in existence : live on

transitive verb

1

: to remain alive after the death of

his son survived him

2

: to continue to exist or live after

survived the stroke

survival

-ˈvī-vəl 

noun

survivor

-ˈvī-vər 

noun