Survivors: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ‘ฅ
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survivors

 

[sษ™หˆvaษชvษ™rz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

after disaster

People who remain alive after a dangerous event or disaster, especially when others have died

Synonyms

surviving individuals, survivor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
survivors

This is the same word as mentioned first, used again perhaps to emphasize its collective nature and more frequent usage.

survivor

Refers to a single person who has lived through a dangerous or traumatic event. It can be used in both positive and neutral contexts.

  • She considers herself a cancer survivor and often speaks at events to raise awareness
surviving individuals

A more formal or precise term, often used in legal, medical, or formal writing to specify people who have outlived an event or condition.

  • The report detailed the medical care required by the surviving individuals after the disaster

Examples of usage

  • The survivors of the earthquake were rescued by the emergency team.
  • The survivors of the plane crash were taken to the hospital for treatment.
Context #2 | Noun

after illness

People who recover from a serious illness or medical condition

Synonyms

convalescents, recovering patients.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
survivors

Use this term when referring to people who have lived through a dangerous or life-threatening event such as a natural disaster, war, or severe illness.

  • The earthquake left many survivors in need of medical assistance.
  • The survivors of the plane crash were airlifted to safety.
recovering patients

This phrase is suitable for referring to patients in the process of recovering from an illness, surgery, or medical treatment. It's commonly used in both medical settings and everyday language.

  • The doctor is optimistic about the prognosis for the recovering patients.
  • Recovering patients are advised to follow a strict medication schedule.
convalescents

This word is appropriate for describing people who are gradually recovering from an illness or medical condition but are still in the recuperation phase. This term is often used in a medical or formal context.

  • The hospital has a special ward for convalescents to regain their strength.
  • The convalescents were prescribed bed rest and a nutritious diet.

Examples of usage

  • The survivors of the virus were grateful for the medical care they received.
  • She was one of the few survivors of the epidemic.
Context #3 | Noun

after conflict

People who outlive a war or battle

Synonyms

veterans, war survivors.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
survivors

General term used for people who have lived through difficult or life-threatening events such as natural disasters, accidents, or illnesses.

  • The survivors of the earthquake were rescued after several days.
  • Cancer survivors often share their stories to inspire others.
war survivors

Specifically refers to people who have lived through the experience of war or armed conflict. This term can evoke feelings of sorrow and resilience.

  • War survivors often require support to heal from their traumatic experiences.
  • The memoirs of war survivors provide a unique perspective on the horrors of conflict.
veterans

Typically refers to individuals who have served in the military. This term usually carries a sense of respect and honor.

  • Veterans are honored on Veterans Day for their service.
  • Many veterans face challenges when returning to civilian life.

Examples of usage

  • The survivors of the war struggled to rebuild their lives.
  • The survivors of the battle were hailed as heroes.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'survivere', meaning 'to outlive' or 'to endure'.
  • It combines 'sur-' meaning 'over' and 'vivere' meaning 'to live', literally translating to 'to live over'.

Psychology

  • Survivorship can have lasting psychological effects, often leading to what's known as survivor's guilt, where individuals feel bad for surviving when others did not.
  • Studies show that survivors often develop resilience, allowing them to cope better with future challenges and adversities.

Social Context

  • Survivors often form support groups, sharing experiences to help heal and connect with one another.
  • The term is commonly used in discussions about those who have overcome serious illnesses or trauma, becoming advocates for others facing similar challenges.

Pop Culture

  • In films and literature, survivors are often depicted as heroes who overcome immense odds, such as in stories like 'The Hunger Games' or 'Life of Pi'.
  • Survivor stories are frequently portrayed in documentaries, showcasing real-life resilience and hope in the face of disaster.

Humanitarian Efforts

  • Organizations dedicated to disaster relief often focus on supporting survivors, providing medical help and emotional support.
  • Survivor narratives are crucial in raising awareness about social issues, fostering empathy and prompting action from communities.

Translations

Translations of the word "survivors" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น sobreviventes

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฌเคšเฅ‡ เคนเฅเค เคฒเฅ‹เค—

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช รœberlebende

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ penyintas

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฒะธะถะธะปะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ocalaล‚ych

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็”Ÿๅญ˜่€…

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท survivants

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ supervivientes

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท hayatta kalanlar

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ƒ์กด์ž

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงู„ู†ุงุฌูˆู†

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pล™eลพivลกรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ preลพivลกรญ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅนธๅญ˜่€…

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ preลพiveli

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ eftirlifendurnir

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚ั–ั€ั– า›ะฐะปา“ะฐะฝะดะฐั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ’แƒแƒ“แƒแƒ แƒฉแƒ”แƒœแƒ˜แƒšแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ saฤŸ qalanlar

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ supervivientes

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,063 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.