What does survivalism mean?
Survivalism is the practice or philosophy of being ready for emergencies, hardship, and the possible disruption of ordinary life. It commonly involves developing practical skills, maintaining emergency supplies, and seeking greater self-reliance rather than depending entirely on institutions or other people. In contemporary English, the term may also denote a broader ideology associated with preparedness for disaster or societal collapse, including stockpiling, conservative lifestyle choices, and skepticism toward government or large-scale social systems. Although survivalism can refer to sensible planning and resilience, its modern political associations often make it a more charged term than preparedness alone. The word is useful because it captures both practical self-protection and the cultural attitudes that can develop around anxiety about the future.
nounThe practice or philosophy of preparing for emergencies and difficult conditions, often emphasizing self-reliance, resourcefulness, and minimal dependence on others. In modern usage, it can also refer to a survivalist ideology or movement associated with stockpiling, self-sufficiency, and preparations for societal collapse.
- The practice or philosophy of preparing for emergencies, hardship, or the breakdown of ordinary social systems, with an emphasis on self-reliance and resourcefulness.
- A modern ideology or movement advocating preparedness, self-sufficiency, and sometimes distrust of government or established institutions.
"His practical survivalism led him to keep emergency supplies and develop a plan for living independently if essential services failed."
"The workshop combined practical survivalism with lessons in shelter building and water purification."
"Critics of survivalism argued that its emphasis on stockpiling and self-sufficiency can foster distrust and isolation."
Survivalism has transformed emergency preparedness into a philosophy of self-reliance, from wilderness skills to stockpiling supplies against an uncertain future.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of survivalism
The word derives from survive, which comes through Old French survivre from Latin supervivere, formed from super- “over, beyond” and vivere “to live.” The suffix -ism was added in the 19th century to form nouns denoting a doctrine, practice, or characteristic tendency. Survivalist and survivalistic developed later from the same root, while survivorship has been used in contexts such as genetics and statistics for the study or influence of those who survive.
Related word forms
How survivalism is actually used
The term is commonly neutral when referring broadly to emergency preparedness, but it can sound dismissive or ideological when describing a political or cultural movement. Modern associations often include self-sufficiency, wilderness skills, emergency supplies, and distrust of societal institutions.