live by
phrasal 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
The country has areas untouched by modernity and is home to communities that still live by the horse.
—
Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
While the Guthrie disappearance is a rare but horrifying instance of the perils of an elderly person living alone, many families struggle with worry and concern over older relatives who live by themselves.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
The concerts will be directed and conducted live by Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown, marking the show’s 25th anniversary.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
Today, Rihanna is living by her own decree.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for live by
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Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
While the Guthrie disappearance is a rare but horrifying instance of the perils of an elderly person living alone, many families struggle with worry and concern over older relatives who live by themselves.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
The concerts will be directed and conducted live by Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown, marking the show’s 25th anniversary.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
Today, Rihanna is living by her own decree.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for live by
Cite this Entry
“Live by.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/live%20by. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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