withstand

American  

[with-stand, with-] / wɪθˈstænd, wɪð- /

verb (used with object)

withstood, withstanding

1. to stand or hold out against; resist or oppose, especially successfully: to withstand the invaders;

   to withstand rust;

   to withstand the invaders;

   to withstand temptation.

   Synonyms:

   face, confront

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verb (used without object)

withstood, withstanding

1. to stand in opposition; resist.

withstand British  

/ wɪðˈstænd /

verb

1. (tr) to stand up to forcefully; resist

2. (intr) to remain firm in endurance or opposition

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Related Words

See oppose.

Other Word Forms

• unwithstanding adjective
• unwithstood adjective
• withstander noun
• withstandingness noun

Etymology

Origin of withstand

First recorded before 900; Middle English withstanden, Old English withstandan ( with-, stand ); cognate with Old Norse vithstanda; akin to German widerstehen

Example Sentences

It must function as a life supporting refuge that can withstand a world built to break down living systems.

From Science Daily

Rodríguez’s tone shift highlighted the balance that her shaky interim leadership is testing out as she tries to withstand U.S. pressure while keeping the country’s so-called revolutionary government from dissolving into factional infighting.

From The Wall Street Journal

“If the regime loses all economic capacity, no system can withstand it.”

From The Wall Street Journal

This transformation allows them to better withstand the stress caused by excess fat, but over time it also increases their vulnerability to becoming cancerous.

From Science Daily

At small businesses, which are unable to withstand economic headwinds as easily as their larger counterparts, years of high inflation, increasingly cautious consumers and tariffs are weighing on earnings and prompting cutbacks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• combat
• cope
• defy
• repel
• resist
• ride out
• suffer
• thwart
• tolerate
• weather