survive

verb

sur·​vive sər-ˈvīv How to pronounce survive (audio)
survived; surviving
Synonyms of survive

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 How to pronounce survive (audio)
noun

Synonyms of survive

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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.
Will the city of Halberstadt, which has already lived through two world wars, survive climate change? — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026 After all, their legacy consorting with carnies and flimflammers is less marketable than a tale of mother and daughter reuniting after surviving back-to-back shipwrecks. — Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 The injured man was taken to a local hospital and is expected to survive, police said. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Aug. 2026 Adults can survive back there; smaller passengers will be happier. — Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for survive

See All Rhymes for survive

Browse Nearby Words

survivant
survive
surviver
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Survive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/survive. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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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
-ˈvī-vər How to pronounce survive (audio)
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
-ˈvī-vəl How to pronounce survive (audio)
noun
survivor
-ˈvī-vər How to pronounce survive (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on survive

Nglish: Translation of survive for Spanish Speakers

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