survival of the fittest

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Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms best adapted to the environment: This phrase describes the principle that individuals or groups best adjusted to their environment are the most successful in surviving and reproducing. It is a central concept in the theory of natural selection.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The harsh conditions in the desert are a clear example of survival of the fittest.
    • In business, some argue that market competition is akin to survival of the fittest.
Advanced Usage
  • Used metaphorically: Often applied to non-biological contexts like economics, technology, or social systems to describe intense competition where only the strongest or most adaptable succeed.
    • In the tech startup world, it's pure survival of the fittest; only the most innovative companies last.
Variants and Related Words
  • Natural Selection (n): The scientific term for the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. "Survival of the fittest" is a popular summary of this concept.
  • Fitness (n): In biology, an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.
Synonyms
  • Natural selection
  • Struggle for existence (a related, broader concept encompassing competition for resources).
Related Phrases
  • "Only the strong survive": A common idiomatic expression conveying a similar idea of resilience and competition.
    • In this industry, it's a case of only the strong survive.
Noun
  1. a natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms best adapted to the environment