live by

verb

lived by; living by; lives by
1
: to agree with and follow (something, such as a set of beliefs)
He tried to live by his faith.
a principle I try to live by
2
: to survive by (doing something)
They were an ancient people who lived by hunting and gathering.

Examples of live by in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After all, as a consumer beverage brand, Stateside wants to live by it offerings. — Jessica Bryant, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 There might be a best practice emerging with general rules to live by, but the exact products and ingredients that trigger or soothe your skin will be highly individualized. — Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026 Kusama, known for her fiery red wig, lived by choice in a Tokyo psychiatric hospital for decades. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 West lived by that message this offseason again, as the sophomore rehabbed from shoulder surgery. — Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for live by

Rhymes for live by

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Browse Nearby Words

live-box
live by
live by one's wits
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Live by.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/live%20by. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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