survived; surviving
1
: to remain alive or in existence : live on
2
: to continue to function or prosper
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
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
The aiyi have sent an emissary to Scythia, who will determine whether the colonists deserve to survive.
—
Stephanie Burt, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
Exceptionally well-written with equal parts spice, vinegar, wicked wit, and wonder how Charlie and Emma can possibly survive this unexpected turn in their lives after one simple question and one complicated answer threatens to blow everything up.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
Corrigan has personally seen evidence of rats surviving even the grisliest encounters with traps, as well as videos of rats pushing metal bars off their necks and surviving for months after losing limbs to traps.
—Jason Bittel, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
No company can survive that long without understanding the power of the pivot.
—Francesca Cassidy, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for survive
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Stephanie Burt, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
Exceptionally well-written with equal parts spice, vinegar, wicked wit, and wonder how Charlie and Emma can possibly survive this unexpected turn in their lives after one simple question and one complicated answer threatens to blow everything up.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
Corrigan has personally seen evidence of rats surviving even the grisliest encounters with traps, as well as videos of rats pushing metal bars off their necks and surviving for months after losing limbs to traps.
—Jason Bittel, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
No company can survive that long without understanding the power of the pivot.
—Francesca Cassidy, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for survive
Cite this Entry
“Survive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/survive. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
survive
verb
sur·vive
sər-ˈvīv 
survived; surviving
: to remain alive or in existence : live on
1
: to remain alive after the death of
his son survived him
2
: to continue to exist or live after
survived the stroke
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