outlive

American  

[out-liv] / ˌaʊtˈlɪv /

verb (used with object)

outlived, outliving

1. to live longer than; survive (a person, period, etc.).

   She outlived her husband by many years.

2. to outlast; live or last through.

   The ship outlived the storm. He hopes to outlive the stigma of his imprisonment.

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outlive British  

/ ˌaʊtˈlɪv /

verb

1. to live longer than (someone)

2. to live beyond (a date or period)

   he outlived the century

3. to live through (an experience)

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Related Words

See survive.

Other Word Forms

• outliver noun

Etymology

Origin of outlive

First recorded in 1425–75, outlive is from the late Middle English word outliven. See out-, live ¹

Example Sentences

But Iran’s state apparatus was built to outlive individual leaders, thanks to layered and overlapping centers of political and military power.

From The Wall Street Journal

If my wife outlives me, we always thought she could switch over to and collect my Social Security monthly payment because it’s considerably larger.

From MarketWatch

Critics say it has outlived its usefulness, as today’s media landscape offers a cornucopia of platforms unknown in 1920s America.

From The Wall Street Journal

"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

Second, if she outlives him, I assume his children might resent her, since that could tie up a sizable portion of their inheritance.

From MarketWatch