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

Explanation

In the story of the three little pigs, only the house made of brick was able to withstand the huffing and puffing of the Big Bad Wolf. To withstand is to hold up against something strong. Withstand means to stand your ground against a powerful and negative force. A lot of toys can withstand rough treatment, but CDs definitely can't. And hopefully, you can withstand the pressures of school and work! If you can withstand a lot of criticism, it means you can take it without giving up.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing withstand

Unit 1: Telling Details

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

100 SAT words Beginning with W,X,Y, and Z

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Beowulf vocabulary

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

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.

Officials argue that rather than rushing through relief efforts, the priority is to "build back better" so that new homes and businesses are resilient enough to withstand future disasters.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

They emerged with a multi-pod cluster built to withstand winds up to 90 mph.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Lower-income households are the least able to withstand the strain at the pump—some already report trying to trim back on road trips and discretionary spending.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Until now, fracture has been considered a property of elasticity, which is a material's ability to store and withstand stress.

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

But he allowed himself to look slightly past the Queen as he spoke, so that he would not have to withstand the full force of her gaze.

From "Huntress" by Malinda Lo

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