survivalism

noun

sur·​viv·​al·​ism sər-ˈvī-və-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce survivalism (audio)
: an attitude, policy, or practice based on the primacy of survival as a value

Examples of survivalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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But even the fact that some of them are inspired to consider helping out makes for significant progress in a world that is governed by survivalism and animalistic self-interest. Jack King, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026 The survivalism-and-bushcraft industry is expected to surpass three billion dollars by 2034. Paige Williams, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026 Rigdon, who worked as a consultant on the 2002 film Panic Room starring Jodie Foster, has been around a long time and watched pop culture fuel the recent rise of high-end survivalism. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 July 2025 June's sometime lover Nick (Max Minghella) was among the casualties, a man who could never commit to any side of the cause finally fell victim to his own sense of survivalism. Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 28 May 2025 And then the, the like twos, like the little numbers above, like the, exponential thing is like survivalism and ability to be vulnerable. Outside Online, 7 May 2025 The work is also a portrait of a generational divide, between Russell’s old-fashioned fear of God and his children’s agnostic survivalism. Juan A. Ramírez, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025 For a film about the claustrophobic survivalism endemic to deep-sea diving, Last Breath is oddly relaxed, a movie whose tension seems just as lost underwater as its subject. Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2025 The film was a massive success and spawned four explosive sequels, but the original film's themes of action, survivalism and compassion, enhanced by Stallone's nuanced performance, make First Blood the first choice in Rambo flicks. Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of survivalism was in 1928

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Cite this Entry

“Survivalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/survivalism. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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