outlive
Americanverb (used with object)
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to live longer than; survive (a person, period, etc.).
She outlived her husband by many years.
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to outlast; live or last through.
The ship outlived the storm. He hopes to outlive the stigma of his imprisonment.
verb
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to live longer than (someone)
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to live beyond (a date or period)
he outlived the century
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to live through (an experience)
Related Words
See survive.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of outlive
First recorded in 1425–75, outlive is from the late Middle English word outliven. See out-, live 1
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.
"The diplomatic relationship between USA and South Africa predate the Trump administration and they will outlive the current White House term of office."
From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026
It’s obviously a gamble, given that we don’t know if you will survive your wife or if she will outlive you.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026
"Dad always believed stories outlive people. In a way, this is him still helping families he will never meet, which I think is the most beautiful legacy you can leave."
From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026
Mr. Vance should develop initiatives, private sector-based or legislatively codified, that can outlive the task force itself.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026
I would always tell people that I believe children have the resilience to outlive their sufferings, if given a chance.
From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
