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

Flamingoes lived by the thousands in South Florida in the 1800s, but fell victim to fashion. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026

The parties and the protests The dinner, which will be televised live by CNN and other channels, is the centerpiece of the weekend’s social calendar, surrounded by more than a dozen brunches, ceremonies, receptions and late-night parties. —Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026

From private cities to interstellar colonies, tech billionaires like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel have backed experiments designed to operate beyond the borders — and laws — most of us live by. —Ramtin Arablouei, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026

During the prayer vigil, which was broadcast live by Vatican News and other media outlets, Pope Leo continued his urgent call for ending the war. —Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026

Rhymes for live by

• abscissae
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi
• certify