survivalism

American  

[ser-vahy-vuhl-iz-uhm] / sərˈvaɪ vəlˌɪz əm /

noun

1. the learning and practicing of skills for surviving in the outdoors or wilderness.

2. the policy of ensuring or focusing on the survival of one's own group, nation, etc., above that of others.

3. the practice of storing food, weapons, and other supplies in preparation for surviving a potential catastrophe, such as nuclear war or societal collapse.

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Example Sentences

Some in Taiwan have pivoted toward survivalism, packing go-bags, stockpiling daily essentials and learning ham radio to prepare for internet blackouts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Other channels have more of an emphasis on survivalism and home protection or produce dry educational videos.

From Slate • May 28, 2024

There’s a nail-biting urgency to the juxtaposition of Aretha’s fledgling survivalism and her increasingly clumsy performance at work, contributing to the sense that “The Survivalists” would make for a thrilling screen adaptation.

From Washington Post • Jan. 12, 2023

Through interviews with friends and relatives, we learn that Gary was a kindly gay man who was obsessed with survivalism and had a popular hiking blog.

From New York Times • Aug. 19, 2022

Her insistence on staying in her home, from my perspective, seems like a form of survivalism.

From Salon • Sep. 29, 2020