survivalist

noun

sur·​viv·​al·​ist sər-ˈvī-və-list How to pronounce survivalist (audio)
: a person who advocates or practices survivalism
especially : one who has prepared to survive in the anarchy of an anticipated breakdown of society
survivalist adjective

Examples of survivalist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ramsey is one of TV’s hottest actors right now, with previous roles including the fiery Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones, survivalist Ellie in The Last of Us and drug addict Kelsey in Time. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 An investigation into the apocalyptic thinking of Christian nationalists, tech-bro reactionaries and populist survivalists. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026 Published in 2018, Educated centered on Westover’s experience growing up as the youngest of seven children in a survivalist family. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026 The husband is an architect who accepts a controversial project to build a survivalist bunker for a tech billionaire. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for survivalist

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of survivalist was in 1950

Rhymes for survivalist

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Browse Nearby Words

survivalism
survivalist
survival kit
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Cite this Entry

“Survivalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/survivalist. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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