survival

noun

sur·​viv·​al sər-ˈvī-vəl How to pronounce survival (audio)
Synonyms of survival
often attributive
1
a
: the act or fact of living or continuing longer than another person or thing
b
: the continuation of life or existence
problems of survival in arctic conditions
2
: one that survives

Examples of survival in a Sentence

The refugees depend on foreign aid for their survival. Small businesses are fighting for survival. the survival of an old folktale
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.
So what is the survival strategy that kept horses on the planet all that time? — Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Edwidge Danticat probes the ideas of safety, home, and survival all while examining the consequences of not speaking about one’s pain. — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2026 Subsequently directing the survival thriller Apurva for Disney+/Hotstar and Cine1 in India, he is repped by Untitled and WME. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026 De Zerbi views this tour as an opportunity to rebuild Tottenham’s style of play, after focusing on a mental revolution across his seven-game survival stint last term. — Elias Burke, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for survival

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of survival was in 1598

Phrases Containing survival

Rhymes for survival

See All Rhymes for survival

Browse Nearby Words

survivable
survival
survival instinct
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Survival.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/survival. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

survival

noun
sur·​viv·​al sər-ˈvī-vəl How to pronounce survival (audio)
1
: the act or fact of living or continuing longer than another person or thing
survival of half the population after the epidemic
2
: a continuation of life despite difficult conditions
skills for survival in the desert
3
: one that survives
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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