outlast

American  

[out-last, -lahst] / ˌaʊtˈlæst, -ˈlɑst /

verb (used with object)

1. to endure or last longer than.

   The pyramids outlasted the civilization that built them.

2. to live longer than; outlive.

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outlast British  

/ ˈaʊtˌlɑːst /

verb

1. (tr) to last longer than

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Etymology

Origin of outlast

First recorded in 1565–75; out- + last ²

Explanation

To outlast is to live or survive longer than someone (or something) else. Sturdy old buildings will outlast newer, more flimsy and cheaply made structures. Typically, your parents will outlast your grandparents, and you will outlast your parents. You might convince yourself to buy some outrageously expensive shoes by thinking about the fact that they're so well made, they'll probably outlast the much cheaper pair you were considering. And you might wonder why a terrible TV show has been on for years, managing to outlast several brilliant ones that were cancelled after a single season.

Example Sentences

Raj added that the firm has managed to "outlast cancel culture" after a series of controversies.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

In a Thursday note, Oxford Economics analysts cautioned that Asia’s energy shortages will outlast a cease-fire, with shipping backlogs and transit times suggesting cargoes are weeks away even if the truce holds.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

And because of this shift, analysts at William Blair, led by Jason Ader, have re-evaluated the firm’s benchmarks for assessing which software companies are poised to outlast their competitors amid AI uncertainty.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

About themselves, about the infinite expanse of creativity, about the power of music to cross borders, outlast wars, span centuries and still inspire.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

I also don’t just mean that they will outlast us, even though they will.

From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin

Related Words

• hang on
• outlive
• survive