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

Exec produced by Sylvester Stallone and filmed in British Columbia, the show challenges ordinary people to survive alone in an unforgiving wilderness with no training, no supplies, and no contact with the outside world. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026

Reporting from Gulf Breeze, Florida Jayme Mitich and her 13-year-old daughter, Jeweliana Jackson, survived a harrowing night as strong winds from Hurricane Isaias partially ripped the roof off their second-story apartment. — Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026

Indeed, the film almost seems to deliberately court these defects, as if to focus its audience on appreciating the beauty that survives them. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 11 Oct. 2026

And while Mike Love is at the Ryman this evening, his former bandmate Al Jardine – the only other surviving member of the original lineup – will be 2,000 miles way at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in Cerritos, California. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 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