survivalist

[ ser-vahy-vuh-list ]

noun

1. a person who makes preparations to survive a widespread catastrophe, as an atomic war or anarchy, especially by storing food and weapons in a safe place.

survivalist

/ səˈvaɪvəlɪst /

noun

1. 1. a person who believes in ensuring his personal survival of a catastrophic event by arming himself and often by living in the wild
   2. ( as modifier )

      survivalist weapons

Derived Forms

• surˈvivalˌism, noun

Other Words From

• sur·vival·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of survivalist¹

First recorded in 1965–70; survival + -ist

Example Sentences

Not to knock Quiñonez, who proved himself to be a highly capable survivalist throughout season nine.

From Outside Online

Similarly, contrary to his insistences that he has been deplatformed into bankruptcy, he makes almost $800,000 on some days selling diet supplements, survivalist gear and other right-wing regalia on his radio and internet shows.

From Washington Post

Many outdoors people who ascribe to an older school of thought—a self-sufficient, survivalist, Walden-esque way of life—scoff at the idea of leaving behind their woods tools when they hike into the wilderness.

From Outside Online

Just because you like the great outdoors doesn’t mean you’re a survivalist.

From Popular-Science

We finish with some survivalist show stars who have become household names.

From Outside Online

“I have a survivalist instinct,” said Ben, a 28-year-old New Yorker.

From The Daily Beast

State troopers risked their lives to help two of their own who were gunned down, allegedly by a self-declared survivalist.

From The Daily Beast

“My parents bought a big trailer of survivalist gear that they kept in the yard for years,” Pizzolatto said.

From The Daily Beast

Same for free market economics, religious fanaticism, and a survivalist outlook.

From The Daily Beast

The Twin Cities seem to have an old-time, survivalist, DIY spirit, and DuCett has bottled it.

From The Daily Beast