survivalist

noun

sur·​viv·​al·​ist sər-ˈvī-və-list How to pronounce survivalist (audio)
: a person who advocates or practices survivalism
especially : one who has prepared to survive in the anarchy of an anticipated breakdown of society
survivalist adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Enduring 21 days solo will test the most experienced survivalists in the world – and bring many to their knees. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 17 Feb. 2023 Enlarge / Paranoid survivalist is the part Nick Offerman was born to play. Kyle Orland & Andrew Cunnigham, Ars Technica, 30 Jan. 2023 Among those are Tenzig (a pack brand that caters to athletic gun and bow hunters), 12 Survivors (a brand that is integrating survivalist and hunting mindsets within outdoor sports) and Mystery Ranch (the Bozeman, Mont. brand that speaks to hunters while also selling avalanche air bags). Doug Schnitzspahn, Outside Online, 9 Sep. 2014 Ever the survivalist, Bill advises Joel to cut her loose, because attachments are the only thing in this world that will kill you quicker than Clickers. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2023 Bill, the survivalist, doesn't want or need anything more than the minimum. Men's Health, 30 Jan. 2023 The trip includes adrenaline-pumping outdoor excursions sprinkled across the Western Highlands led by former Royal Marines Sergeant George MacHardy and survivalist Eliza Brown. Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2023 Some books explain survivalist tactics in a proactive manner, prepping readers for the event of a disaster or civil disorder. Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 5 Apr. 2023 Justin Timberlake as Branch Justin Timberlake returns to voice the role of Branch, an over-cautious paranoid survivalist with blue-grey skin and black hair who appeared in both 2016's Trolls and 2020's Trolls World Tour. Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'survivalist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of survivalist was in 1950

Dictionary Entries Near survivalist

Cite this Entry

“Survivalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/survivalist. Accessed 29 May. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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