survivor

American  

[ser-vahy-ver] / sərˈvaɪ vər /

noun

1. a person or thing that survives.

2. Law. the one of two or more designated persons, as joint tenants or others having a joint interest, who outlives the other or others.

3. a person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardship, or setbacks.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsurvivor noun
• self-survivor noun

Etymology

Origin of survivor

First recorded in 1495–1505; survive + -or ²

Example Sentences

So far, the survivors have received less than 2% of their allowed claims in an initial distribution.

From The Wall Street Journal

Louise Adler, the Jewish daughter of Holocaust survivors, said "I cannot be party to silencing writers" and that Abdel-Fattah's exclusion "weakens freedom of speech and is the harbinger of a less free nation."

From BBC

The court has also set aside three days to hear from witnesses, including Rohingya survivors, but these sessions will be closed to the public and media.

From BBC

His genial demeanour and penchant for folksy parables belie a past as a wily guerrilla fighter and ruthless political survivor.

From Barron's

My wife is a survivor, and I travel with her.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• residue