outlive
verb (used with object)
to live longer than; survive (a person, period, etc.).
had outlived
-
past perfectof outlive.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Holbein, Ms. Goldring writes, was always able to “distance himself from patrons who had outlived their usefulness.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026
Charley, an aging African elephant, had outlived other elephants at a South Africa zoo.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2024
In theory, this was still the same Dooce, expressing taboo thoughts loudly and imperfectly, except now the comments felt off-side – she was a character who had outlived her welcome.
From Salon ● May 13, 2023
By the 1980s, “Hep Cat” and “Hubba Hubba” had outlived their audience.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 7, 2023
The Igbo were, after all, a people who deposed gods that had outlived their usefulness.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
