outlive

verb

out·​live ˌau̇t-ˈliv 

outlived; outliving; outlives

transitive verb

1

: to live beyond or longer than

outlived most of his friends

outlive its usefulness

2

: to survive the effects of

universities … outlive many political and social changes

—J. B. Conant

Synonyms

• outlast
• outwear

Examples of outlive in a Sentence

No mother wants to outlive her children.

He outlived his wife by 10 years.

Recent Examples on the Web

Strategist, Neil Richardson, suggests that our digital shadows, the sum total of our online expressions and biometric traces, may soon outlive us, creating some kind of posthumous identity that transcends mortality. —Tracey Follows, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

That pepper spray is among the objects that have outlived Vincent. —Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2025

Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda Classic High-Rise Tapered Jean These jeans are classic—a true staple for your wardrobe that will stand the test of time and outlive every other denim fad that may come and go. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Mar. 2025

Your retirement will outlive any recession. —Chris Carosa, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing outlive

• outlive one's usefulness

Rhymes for outlive

• forgive
• ogive
• relive
• corroborative
• determinative
• germinative
• transformative
• give
• sieve
• resistive

Kids Definition

outlive

verb

out·​live (ˈ)au̇t-ˈliv 

: to live longer than : outlast