Outlast vs. Outlive — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 26, 2024
Outlast refers to enduring or remaining functional beyond others in time or condition, while outlive specifically denotes living longer than another person or entity.
Difference Between Outlast and Outlive
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Outlast is used when discussing objects, structures, or entities that remain effective or intact longer than others. Whereas, outlive is primarily used in the context of life span, referring to one living being surviving beyond the life of another.
Outlast often implies a durability or resilience against wear, competition, or other challenging conditions. On the other hand, outlive focuses more on the survival of a living organism beyond the death of others, often used in personal or familial contexts.
Outlast is frequently applied in discussions about products, technologies, or businesses that remain relevant or operational longer than others. Conversely, outlive is typically reserved for discussions about life expectancy, often related to people or sometimes pets.
Outlast can also imply a metaphorical endurance, such as ideas, traditions, or legacies that withstand the test of time. On the other hand, outlive strictly pertains to the physical existence of living beings.
Outlast might suggest a competitive edge in lasting through challenging conditions or environments. In contrast, outlive simply denotes longevity, without the connotation of competition or endurance against odds.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Context
Objects, technologies, ideas
Living beings
Connotation
Durability, endurance
Longevity, survival
Common Usage
Products, businesses
People, animals
Metaphorical Use
Yes (ideas, traditions)
No
Relation to Time
Endures beyond usual conditions
Lives longer than others
Compare with Definitions
Outlast
To remain intact or effective over time.
This type of roofing can outlast traditional materials.
Outlive
To continue living while others do not.
The poet outlived all of her contemporaries.
Outlast
To survive or remain in use.
He believes that physical books will outlast digital formats.
Outlive
To remain alive after an event.
He outlived the war that took his family.
Outlast
To continue beyond the expected duration.
The show outlasted many of its contemporaries.
Outlive
To live longer than another person.
She outlived her husband by ten years.
Outlast
To endure longer than others.
The company hoped its new product would outlast the competition.
Outlive
To survive beyond the lifespan of others.
The tortoise outlived several of its owners.
Outlast
To withstand adverse conditions.
The bridge was built to outlast severe weather.
Outlive
To exceed the life expectancy.
He outlived his predicted medical prognosis.
Outlast
Outlast is a first-person survival horror video game developed and published by Red Barrels. The game revolves around a freelance investigative journalist, Miles Upshur, who decides to investigate a remote psychiatric hospital named Mount Massive Asylum, located deep in the mountains of Lake County, Colorado.
Outlive
Outlive is a real-time strategy video game developed and produced by Brazilian studio Continuum Entertainment. It is a mission-based real-time strategy game where the player controls either the human military or robot forces and attempts to eliminate all opposing forces.
Outlast
Live or last longer than
The kind of beauty that will outlast youth
Outlive
(of a person) live longer than (another person)
Women generally outlive men
Outlast
To last longer than
Do these batteries really outlast the other brands?.
Outlive
To live longer than
She outlived her son.
Outlast
To overcome by continuing to perform well for a longer period
She outlasted the other runners in the race.
Outlive
To continue in use or existence long enough to survive (something else)
A regulation that has outlived its usefulness.
Outlast
(transitive) To live, last or remain longer than.
The tool outlasted its need.
Some think that classical music would outlast pop.
Outlive
(transitive) To live longer than; continue to live after the death of; overlive; survive.
Outlast
To exceed in duration; to survive; to endure longer than.
Outlive
(transitive) To live through or past (a given time).
Outlast
Live longer than;
She outlived her husband by many years
Outlive
(transitive) To surpass in duration; outlast.
Outlive
(intransitive) To live longer; continue to live.
Outlive
To live beyond, or longer than; to survive.
They live too long who happiness outlive.
Outlive
Live longer than;
She outlived her husband by many years
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to outlast a storm?
It means to endure through the storm without damage or failure.
Can a company outlive its founder?
Typically, the term used would be outlast, implying continued operation beyond the founder’s life.
Is outlasting always a positive trait?
Generally, yes, as it implies resilience and durability.
How do you use outlive in a sentence regarding plants?
A tree might outlive the garden plants planted around it.
Can pets outlive their owners?
Yes, pets like tortoises or parrots can outlive their owners.
Which is more commonly used for non-physical entities, outlast or outlive?
Outlast is more common for non-physical entities like ideas or businesses.
What are examples of things that typically outlast others?
Materials like stone or metal often outlast wood or plastic.
Can traditions outlive people?
Traditions outlast people when they continue being practiced beyond individual lifetimes.
Do outlast and outlive have similar emotional implications?
Outlive often carries more emotional weight, especially in personal contexts.
Can an idea outlive its creator?
It's more appropriate to say an idea outlasts its creator, indicating enduring relevance.
What does it mean if a law outlasts its usefulness?
It means the law continues to exist even when it's no longer relevant or necessary.
How can a building be said to outlive another?
Typically, it would be said to outlast if it remains functional longer than another.
What does it suggest if a product outlives its warranty?
It suggests that the product continues to function well beyond the warranty period.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Smell vs. Scent
Next Comparison
Diffident vs. ShyAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
