The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word WEATHERS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
W
E
A
T
H
E
R
S
More clues leading to the result WEATHERS
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Survives" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case survives = weathers.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does WEATHERS mean?
WEATHERS noun- The short term state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place, including the temperature, relative humidity, cloud cover, precipitation, wind, etc.
- Unpleasant or destructive atmospheric conditions, and their effects.
- The direction from which the wind is blowing; used attributively to indicate the windward side.
- A situation.
- A storm; a tempest.
- A light shower of rain.
- To expose to the weather, or show the effects of such exposure, or to withstand such effects.
- (by extension) To sustain the trying effect of; to bear up against and overcome; to endure; to resist.
- To break down, of rocks and other materials, under the effects of exposure to rain, sunlight, temperature, and air.
- To pass to windward in a vessel, especially to beat 'round.
- To endure or survive an event or action without undue damage.
- To place (a hawk) unhooded in the open air.