survivor

Someone who remains alive after an accident, disaster, or other dangerous event.

• They found one survivor.
• The survivors of the crash were taken to hospital.
• Was he the only survivor of the fire?

How to use it: a survivor of something (She is a survivor of the earthquake.)

Common phrases: sole survivor, crash survivor, survivor of something

Someone who has lived through a very difficult or harmful experience.

• She is a cancer survivor.
• The group helps survivors of childhood abuse.
• As a survivor, he wanted to share his experience with others.

How to use it: a survivor of something (The charity supports survivors of domestic violence.)

Common phrases: cancer survivor, abuse survivor, trauma survivor

A living relative, friend, or other person who knew someone who has died.

• His wife was his closest survivor.
• Her survivors include two sons and a sister.
• The funeral brought together the dead man's grieving survivors.

How to use it: survivors include someone (His survivors include his wife and three children.)

Similar words: bereaved person

Common phrases: bereaved survivor, grieving survivor, survivor benefits