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 of survive

• endure
• live
• withstand
• make it (through)
• be
• weather
• ride (out)

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

Beyond the state of Georgia, Ohio's new governor-elect Amy Acton survived more than a political attack ad exploiting her childhood abuse. — Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2026

Vague settlements can also entrench expensive bureaucracies and ideological training requirements that survive long after the original dispute. — Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026

These mice are ideal hosts for tick larvae, which are far more likely to survive to the nymph stage after feeding on mice than on other animals. — Clarissa Brincat, Scientific American, 8 Nov. 2026

That power will allow the rover to survive the frigid lunar night. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026

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

Rhymes for survive

• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive
• contrive
• deprive
• derive
• khedive
• revive
• dive
• drive

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