survive

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   continue in existence after an adversity, opposition, etc

   I survived the cancer against all odds.

2. 2
   verb

   Of a person, to continue to live; to remain alive.

   Whether by a miracle or by good luck, all twenty passengers survived.

3. 3
   verb

   Of an object or concept, to continue to exist.

   This town has been hit by two hurricanes, but it survives.

4. 4
   verb

   To live past (a life-threatening event)

   Whether by a miracle or by good luck, all twenty passengers survived the crash.

5. 5
   verb

   To live longer than (someone); to outlive (someone or something); to outlast (something).

   his children survived him;   he was survived by his children

6. 6
   verb

   To be a victim of nonfatal but substantial harm and nonetheless to display the strength to heal; especially, after a crime or an illness, especially sexual or physical abuse or assault, cancer, or a natural disaster.

   I just know you'll get through this, because that's what survivors like you do: they not only survive but thrive.

7. 7
   verb

   Of a team, to avoid relegation or demotion to a lower division or league.

   They narrowly survived, but the heat is on.

8. 8
   verb

   support oneself

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman survivre, Old French survivre, from Late Latin supervivere (“to outlive”), from Latin super (“over”) + vivere (“to live”), akin to vita (“life”). See vivid. Compare devive, revive.