survive

To stay alive or continue to exist after danger, damage, or a difficult experience.

• Everyone survived the accident.
• The old bridge survived the storm.
• How did she survive such a serious illness?

How to use it: survive something (Only two buildings survived the fire.)

Similar words: live through, come through

Common phrases: survive a crash, survive the war, survive a fire, survive an attack

To remain alive, especially when living is difficult or dangerous.

• The injured man survived.
• We survived on very little food.
• How long can someone survive without water?

How to use it: survive on something (They survived on rice and beans.); survive without something (A person cannot survive long without water.)

Similar words: stay alive, live

Opposites: die

Common phrases: survive without food, survive on something, survive in the wild