survivor

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'survivor' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person who has managed to survive a dangerous or extreme situation, or someone who has endured a traumatic experience. For example: "The only survivor of the plane crash was miraculously found alive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We will also hear from Leonardo Sakamoto, who covers slavery for Reporter Brazil, and a first-hand testimony from a Chinese human trafficking survivor.

The Guardian

Willis acknowledges that the number of people – overwhelmingly, women – seeking support from her organisation has increased since family violence survivor Rosie Batty's story made headlines.

The Guardian

As a survivor, you get to know yourself – who am I? How much can you take?" My memory is completely free – I do not lock it anywhere, but neither do I think about it.

The Guardian - Music

So, 150 years on, I decided to retrace the lady's footsteps, with a tatty copy of her Swiss Journal in my bag – a secondhand survivor I'd tracked down, from a batch that were printed in 1963.

The Guardian - Travel

I can still remember one survivor saying how easy it is to pull apart the ribs on a baby.

The Guardian

Investigators have copious amounts of evidence provided by Ajmal Kasab, the sole survivor of the attack team, and David Headley, a Pakistani-American extremist who conducted surveillance operations on the Taj Mahal Palace hotel and other targets in Mumbai.

The Guardian

The star of The Amazing Spider-Man, Andrew Garfield, was caught up in a media storm last week after denying he scuppered a planned Oscars appearance for five-year-old American cancer survivor Miles Scott, aka "Batkid".

The Guardian - Film

He was the terrifying thug Begbie in Trainspotting, the psychopathic Hillsborough survivor Albie in an award-winning, three-part episode of Cracker; he played Hamish, the amiable, hash-smoking slacker cop, in Hamish Macbeth and Gaz, the downtrodden former steelworker turned stripper in The Full Monty, which made him into an international star and changed his life irrevocably.

The Guardian - Film

It was a personal triumph too for Sidebottom, Yorkshire-born and the sole survivor in this team from his native county's last title-winning season but also twice a winner in the same competition in his seven years with Nottinghamshire.

The Guardian - Sport

But as some gave up hope, one survivor was found from beneath tons of soil late last night.

The Guardian

Tribune, the survivor of an ill-fated takeover by Sam Zell and a subsequent bankruptcy, started its first week as a new company.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to individuals who have experienced trauma, use "survivor" to acknowledge their strength and resilience. For instance, "a cancer survivor" or "a trauma survivor."

Common error

Don't broadly label someone a "survivor" without specifying what they survived. Providing context adds clarity and avoids ambiguity. For instance, instead of just "He is a survivor", specify "He is a stroke survivor."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "survivor" is as a noun. It typically identifies a person who has endured and lived through a life-threatening event, hardship, or traumatic experience. Ludwig confirms the appropriate use of "survivor" in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Film

8%

Travel

6%

Less common in

Books

2%

Sport

2%

Opinion

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "survivor" is a noun used to describe someone who has lived through a dangerous or difficult experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appropriate in various contexts. Its usage is very common, particularly in news and media, where it describes individuals who have overcome adversity. While the term itself is neutral, sensitivity is key when using it, especially when referring to traumatic experiences. Remember to specify the context to avoid ambiguity and maximize clarity in your writing. Consider alternative phrases like "one who persevered" or "one who came through" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one who overcame adversity

Highlights the act of conquering a challenging situation.

one who came through

Emphasizes the successful completion of a challenging experience.

one who endured hardship

Focuses on the sustained suffering and persistence through difficult times.

one who persevered

Focuses on the act of continuing despite difficulty, rather than just surviving an event.

one who withstood the test

Implies endurance and resilience under pressure.

one who weathered the storm

Uses a metaphor to describe enduring a difficult period.

one who lived to tell the tale

Emphasizes the act of surviving and then recounting the experience.

one who bounced back

Highlights the ability to recover quickly from a setback.

one who outlived

Focuses on surviving longer than others or a specific event.

one who remained

Suggests survival through the simple act of not perishing or disappearing.

FAQs

How can I use "survivor" in a sentence?

Use "survivor" to refer to someone who has lived through a life-threatening event or difficult experience. For example, "She is a breast cancer survivor" or "He was the only survivor of the plane crash".

What's the difference between "survivor" and "victim"?

"Survivor" emphasizes resilience and strength after a traumatic event, while "victim" focuses on the harm suffered. One might transition from being a victim to identifying as a "one who overcame adversity" as they heal.

What can I say instead of "survivor"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "survivor" include "one who persevered", "one who came through", or "one who overcame adversity".

Is it appropriate to use "survivor" in all contexts of overcoming a challenge?

While "survivor" conveys strength, reserve its use for situations involving significant danger or trauma. Using it for minor challenges can diminish its impact. Use phrases like "one who persevered" or "one who came through" in less serious situations.