withstand

[with-stand, with-]

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

verb (used without object)

withstood, withstanding 

1. to stand in opposition; resist.

withstand

/ wɪðˈstænd /

verb

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

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of withstand¹

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

Synonym Study

See oppose.

Example Sentences

They withstand storms and remain unchanged as the weather clears the next day.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The "Souterraine", as the vault is known, was designed to withstand all attacks, according to the bank's website.

Read more on BBC

The Dodgers don’t have the kind of roster that could withstand such a mediocre start.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Remember what it was like to see him overpower the Brewers with his fastball and sweeper when questions start about him being too old to withstand the workload of a two-way player.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Resilience investment focuses on withstanding crises such as terrorism, cyberattacks and pandemics.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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