Synonyms

withstand

American

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

verb (used with object)

withstood, withstanding

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

verb (used without object)

withstood, withstanding

to stand in opposition; resist.

withstand British

/ wɪðˈstænd /

verb

(tr) to stand up to forcefully; resist
(intr) to remain firm in endurance or opposition

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"When we bought the place, we knew we were vulnerable but we didn't realise just how vulnerable, although the sea defences withstood the majority of it."

From BBC

"If they don't have the hours to withstand that, then they aren't getting the income that they need and they start cutting out all of their luxuries."

From BBC

Still, ”you have to be able to withstand the volatility, which is likely to remain high.”

From MarketWatch

She’s like, “Oh, I have the mental fortitude to withstand this temporary blow.”

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023