To endure; to keep out (e.g., rain); to stave off (e.g., hunger).
寒さを凌ぐために厚手の毛布を出した。
We brought out thick blankets to endure the cold.
雨を凌ぐ場所を探して、軒先で雨宿りした。
We looked for a place to keep out the rain and waited under an eave.
食料不足の間、保存食で何とかしのいだ。
During the food shortage, we somehow staved it off with preserved food.
To pull through; to get over; to survive (a crisis or hardship).
会社は資金難の危機を凌いで再建に成功した。
The company survived the financial crisis and succeeded in restructuring.
大地震のあと、住民たちは協力して生活を凌いだ。
After the big quake, the residents cooperated to survive and carry on.
彼は重い病気から何とか凌いで退院した。
He somehow pulled through the serious illness and was discharged from hospital.
To surpass; to outdo; to excel; to eclipse (often used in the pattern '～を凌ぐ').
新製品の売上は前年を凌ぐ勢いだ。
The new product's sales are on pace to surpass last year's.
彼の演奏は同年代の演奏家を凌いでいると言われる。
His performance is said to surpass that of other musicians his age.
その記録は世界記録を凌ぐもので、注目を集めた。
That record eclipsed the world record and attracted attention.