survive

verb

sur·​vive sər-ˈvīv How to pronounce survive (audio)
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 noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In addition to his wife and children he is survived by a grandchild. Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2025 Unlike its relative, the green parakeet has managed to not only survive but thrive into modern day. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025 These insights led Kiew to develop Change Fluency™, a concept that describes a future-ready capability to not just survive change but to skillfully navigate it, adapt to it, and lead others through it. William Jones, USA Today, 3 May 2025 The Knicks might not have survived Game 4, the one that ended with refs glossing over a foul from Josh Hart on an errant Tim Hardaway Jr. Fred Katz, New York Times, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for survive

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of survive was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Survive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/survive. Accessed 9 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

survive

verb
sur·​vive sər-ˈvīv How to pronounce survive (audio)
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 noun

Medical Definition

survive

verb
sur·​vive sər-ˈvīv How to pronounce survive (audio)
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 noun
survivor noun

More from Merriam-Webster on survive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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