outlive

verb

out·​live ˌau̇t-ˈliv 

outlived; outliving; outlives

transitive verb

1

: to live beyond or longer than

outlived most of his friends

outlive its usefulness

2

: to survive the effects of

Universities … outlive many political and social changes.

—J. B. Conant

Synonyms of outlive

• survive
• outlast

Examples of outlive in a Sentence

No mother wants to outlive her children.

He outlived his wife by 10 years.

Recent Examples on the Web

This focus on an overall design story enables sophisticated, creative wallpaper applications that will outlive the trend cycle. —Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Jan. 2026

Speakers will reflect on legacy as a balancing act between intention and interpretation, control and serendipity, exploring how stories outlive their creators and take on new meaning through audiences. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2026

When oil prices slid and mismanagement came due, the country staggered into hyperinflation, shortages, and mass migration, culminating in a full‑blown humanitarian crisis that outlived Chávez and deepened under his successor, Nicolás Maduro. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026

The Critics Choice Awards aired Sunday night from Los Angeles, paying tribute not only to the stars that lit up the big screen in 2025, but also to those whose impact outlived them. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing outlive

• outlive one's usefulness

Rhymes for outlive

• forgive
• ogive
• relive
• corroborative
• determinative
• germinative
• transformative
• give
• sieve
• resistive

Kids Definition

outlive

verb

out·​live (ˈ)au̇t-ˈliv 

: to live longer than : outlast