survivor

[ ser-vahy-ver ]

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.

Other Words From

• nonsur·vivor noun
• self-sur·vivor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of survivor¹

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

Example Sentences

I was so relieved to not be in this position of leadership of something that’s important, and to have a mentor and someone who had worked with victims her entire adult life and really dedicated her life to transforming victims into survivors.

From Ozy

Both are survivors of cancer who have long been impressed with America’s health-care system, until now.

From Washington Post

Mecklenburg says that on average, survivors return to the relationship seven times before they leave for good.

From Time

The American Cancer Society’s chief medical and scientific officer, William Cance, said his organization is “strongly in favor of cancer patients and cancer survivors getting vaccinated, particularly older adults.”

From Washington Post

This film, produced by Steep Motion, highlights his journey as a cancer survivor and blind skier.

From Outside Online

But Cocker proved to be a survivor, bringing his passionate persona to concert halls around the world decade after decade.

From The Daily Beast

The worst is probably to avoid paying taxes on the money and go to prison, like Survivor season one winner Richard Hatch.

From The Daily Beast

These are the same Taliban fighters known to U.S. audiences from the documentary Restrepo and the film Lone Survivor.

From The Daily Beast

“We were looking at 10 men with rifles, and then the beating began,” the survivor would later testify.

From The Daily Beast

Adriana Cazorla immigrated from Mexico in 1995 and is a domestic violence survivor.

From The Daily Beast

The solitary survivor was a young man, once of a fine form, but now an emaciated phantom.

From Project Gutenberg

There were four speakers, and three of them are dead, Joseph Arch being the sole survivor.

From Project Gutenberg

He is, after myself, the sole survivor of our race outside thy land of Manoa.

From Project Gutenberg

It was not likely that both ponies would fall at once, and the survivor might be able to carry the couple to safety.

From Project Gutenberg

The decision had cost Benson a battle with his conscience from which he had emerged the sole survivor.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• residue