withstand

[with-stand, with-]

See more synonyms for withstand on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), with·stood, with·stand·ing.

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

verb (used without object), with·stood, with·stand·ing.

to stand in opposition; resist.

Origin of withstand

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

Related formswith·stand·er, nounwith·stand·ing·ness, nounun·with·stand·ing, adjectiveun·with·stood, adjective

Synonyms for withstand

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

1. confront, face. See oppose.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for withstanding

combat, repel, defy, cope, tolerate, resist, weather, thwart, suffer, buck, duel, brave, violate, stick, contest, confront, traverse, fight, dispute, oppose

Examples from the Web for withstanding

Contemporary Examples of withstanding

But withstanding political pressure is going to be the least of your problems.
Why Not Make Social Security Benefits Even More Generous
Megan McArdle
March 8, 2013
Your bold brand of charisma not withstanding, staid types might see outsized expressions of your personality as character defects.
Horoscopes: May 29-June 4, 2011
Starsky + Cox
May 28, 2011
Now nuclear power-station designs and safety systems are capable of withstanding much more serious accidents [than Chernobyl].
Why Japan's Nuclear Meltdown Is No Chernobyl
Owen Matthews
March 13, 2011
But business and branding aside, the event seemed to be a familiar gathering, cocktail dresses not withstanding.
Chic Geeks
Lauren Streib
June 9, 2010

Historical Examples of withstanding

Thou art a strange creature, said she; there is no withstanding thee.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
It is not nearly so capable of withstanding drouth as Rupestris.
Manual of American Grape-Growing
U. P. Hedrick
In no extremity are we justified in withstanding him by force.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.
Thomas Babington Macaulay
It is a witchery of social czarship which there is no withstanding.
Moby Dick; or The Whale
Herman Melville
In that case there will be some chance of withstanding their attack.
The Lone Ranche
Captain Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for withstanding

withstand

verb -stands, -standing or -stood

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

Derived Formswithstander, noun

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

Word Origin and History for withstanding

withstand

Old English wiðstandan, from wið "against" (see with) + standan "to stand" (see stand (v.)); perhaps a loan-translation of Latin resistere "to resist" (see resist). Cf. Old Norse viðstanda, Old Frisian withstonda, Old High German widarstan. In 14c. and early 15c., withsit was in use with the same meaning. Related: Withstood; withstanding.