Endure vs. Survive: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on September 28, 2023
Endure means to suffer patiently through adversity, while survive means to continue to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship.
Key Differences
Endure and survive are words often used to describe dealing with adverse situations, but they have nuanced differences. To endure is to bear or withstand something difficult or painful, often displaying tolerance, patience, or resilience. It generally implies experiencing hardship without succumbing to it, depicting a sense of sustained suffering or toleration. Conversely, to survive is primarily concerned with continuing to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship. It emphasizes the aspect of overcoming threats to one’s existence and carrying on beyond them.
Exploring the word endure further, it is rooted in the idea of resilience and persistence. It implies a steady and continuous facing of adversity, often implying a sense of strength and determination. For instance, an individual may endure pain or hardship, symbolizing a continued existence in the face of distress, without necessarily overcoming it. It implies dealing with discomfort or challenge, often over extended periods, highlighting the aspect of perseverance and tolerance.
The concept of survive, on the other hand, focuses on the continuation of life or existence despite adverse conditions. It’s often linked with the overcoming of life-threatening situations or conditions, suggesting a victory over potential demise. For example, a plant might survive harsh winter conditions, indicating that it has successfully navigated environmental threats to its existence, emerging alive on the other side. It’s associated more with the overcoming of existential threats rather than the enduring of discomfort or adversity.
While both endure and survive involve dealing with adversity, the emphasis of each word is different. Endure emphasizes the process of going through hardship, often portraying a scene of ongoing struggle or patience. It’s about withstanding and bearing, emphasizing resilience. In contrast, survive is about the outcome, focusing on the continuation of existence post adversity. It represents the aftermath, denoting the act of remaining alive or in existence after facing potential destruction or death.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To suffer patiently through adversity
To continue to live or exist in spite of danger or hardship
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Focus
On the process of experiencing hardship
On the outcome of overcoming adversity
Implication
Resilience, tolerance, and patience
Overcoming, continuation of existence
Usage
More about withstanding discomfort or challenge
More about continuation of life post adversity
Example
One might endure pain or hardship
One might survive an accident or illness
Endure and Survive Definitions
Endure
To bear or withstand pain, difficulty, or adversity patiently.
Despite the severe weather, the hikers decided to endure and press forward.
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Survive
To remain alive after the death of someone.
He survived his spouse by two years.
Endure
To remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding.
The ancient structure has endured through centuries.
Survive
To continue to function or prosper despite adverse conditions.
The small business managed to survive during the economic downturn.
Endure
To tolerate or accept an unpleasant or disliked situation.
She endured years of loneliness.
Survive
To endure and overcome adversity or challenges.
The ancient tradition has survived through many generations.
Endure
To sustain without impairment or yielding.
The legacy of the great philosopher will endure through ages.
Survive
To remain alive or in existence.
Endure
To undergo especially without giving in; to suffer.
He had to endure numerous hardships during his journey.
Survive
To carry on despite hardships or trauma; persevere
Families that were surviving in tents after the flood.
Endure
To carry on through, despite hardships; undergo or suffer
Endure an Arctic winter.
Survive
To remain functional or usable
I dropped the radio, but it survived.
Endure
To put up with; tolerate
I cannot endure your insolence any longer.
Survive
To live longer than; outlive
She survived her husband by five years.
Endure
To continue in existence; last
Buildings that have endured for centuries.
Survive
To live, persist, or remain usable through
Plants that can survive frosts.
A clock that survived a fall.
Endure
To suffer patiently without yielding.
Survive
To cope with (a trauma or setback); persevere after
Survived child abuse.
Endure
(intransitive) To continue or carry on, despite obstacles or hardships; to persist.
The singer's popularity endured for decades.
Survive
(intransitive) Of a person, to continue to live; to remain alive.
Endure
(transitive) To tolerate or put up with something unpleasant.
Survive
(intransitive) Of an object or concept, to continue to exist.
Endure
(intransitive) To last.
Our love will endure forever.
Survive
(transitive) To live longer than; to outlive.
His children survived him; he was survived by his children.
Endure
To remain firm, as under trial or suffering; to suffer patiently or without yielding; to bear up under adversity; to hold out.
Survive
(transitive) To live past a life-threatening event.
He did not survive the accident.
Endure
(transitive) To suffer patiently.
He endured years of pain.
Survive
(transitive) To be a victim of usually non-fatal harm, to honor and empower the strength of an individual to heal, in particular a living victim of sexual abuse or assault.
Endure
(obsolete) To indurate.
Survive
Of a team, to avoid relegation or demotion to a lower division or league.
Endure
To continue in the same state without perishing; to last; to remain.
Their verdure still endure.
He shall hold it [his house] fast, but it shall not endure.
Survive
To live beyond the life or existence of; to live longer than; to outlive; to outlast; as, to survive a person or an event.
I'll assure her ofHer widowhood, be it that she survive me,In all my lands and leases whatsoever.
Endure
To remain firm, as under trial or suffering; to suffer patiently or without yielding; to bear up under adversity; to hold out.
Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong in the days that I shall deal with thee?
Survive
To remain alive; to continue to live.
Thy pleasure,Which, when no other enemy survives,Still conquers all the conquerors.
Alike are life and death,When life in death survives.
Endure
To remain firm under; to sustain; to undergo; to support without breaking or yielding; as, metals endure a certain degree of heat without melting; to endure wind and weather.
Both were of shining steel, and wrought so pure,As might the strokes of two such arms endure.
Survive
Continue to live; endure or last;
We went without water and food for 3 days
These superstitions survive in the backwaters of America
The racecar driver lived through several very serious accidents
Endure
To bear with patience; to suffer without opposition or without sinking under the pressure or affliction; to bear up under; to put up with; to tolerate.
I will no longer endure it.
Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake.
How can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people?
Survive
Continue in existence after (an adversity, etc.);
He survived the cancer against all odds
Endure
To harden; to toughen; to make hardy.
Manly limbs endured with little ease.
Survive
Support oneself;
He could barely exist on such a low wage
Can you live on $2000 a month in New York City?
Many people in the world have to subsist on $1 a day
Endure
Put up with something or somebody unpleasant;
I cannot bear his constant criticism
The new secretary had to endure a lot of unprofessional remarks
He learned to tolerate the heat
She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage
Survive
Live longer than;
She outlived her husband by many years
Endure
Face or endure with courage;
She braved the elements
Survive
To live through an experience or event.
She survived a car accident.
Endure
Continue to live; endure or last;
We went without water and food for 3 days
These superstitions survive in the backwaters of America
The racecar driver lived through several very serious accidents
Endure
Undergo or be subjected to;
He suffered the penalty
Many saints suffered martyrdom
Endure
Last and be usable;
This dress wore well for almost ten years
Endure
Persist or be long; in time;
The bad weather lasted for three days
Endure
Continue to exist;
These stories die hard
The legend of Elvis endures
FAQs
Is survive only about living through dangerous situations?
Primarily, but it also denotes continuing existence or prosperity despite adversity or challenges.
Does enduring imply eventual overcoming?
Not necessarily; endure emphasizes experiencing, often with resilience, but not necessarily overcoming.
Does endure always imply suffering?
Generally, endure implies undergoing discomfort, hardship, or suffering without yielding.
Does survive imply overcoming a threat to existence?
Yes, survive typically implies overcoming existential threats or adverse conditions.
Can endure mean to tolerate?
Yes, endure can also mean to tolerate or put up with something unpleasant.
Can plants and animals be said to survive?
Absolutely, plants and animals can survive environmental conditions, predators, or other threats.
Does enduring have a time aspect?
Typically, endure does have a time aspect, implying sustained experience over a period.
Can endure be used in positive contexts?
It is usually used in contexts of hardship or difficulty, but it might be used positively, emphasizing resilience.
Can non-living entities survive?
In a metaphorical sense, ideas, traditions, or structures can be said to survive, meaning they continue to exist.
Is the term survive related to survival?
Yes, survive is related to survival, both denoting the continuation of life or existence amidst adversity.
Is endurance related to endure?
Yes, endurance is the ability or power to endure prolonged stressful or adverse situations.
Can survival be involuntary?
Survival can be instinctual and involuntary, often driven by basic biological responses.
Can a memory or a legacy endure?
Yes, a memory, legacy, or impact can endure, meaning it continues to exist or be remembered over time.
Can one endure positive experiences?
Typically, endure is used for uncomfortable, painful, or difficult experiences rather than positive ones.
Can surviving imply thriving?
Surviving primarily implies continuation of existence; thriving would imply prospering beyond mere survival.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
