withstand
- to stand or hold out against; resist or oppose, especially successfully: to withstand rust; to withstand the invaders; to withstand temptation.
- to stand in opposition; resist.
Origin of withstand
Synonyms for withstand
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for withstood
combat, repel, defy, cope, tolerate, resist, weather, thwart, suffer, buck, duel, brave, violate, stick, contest, confront, traverse, fight, dispute, opposeExamples from the Web for withstood
Contemporary Examples of withstood
He was offered a job as literary editor of Commonweal, but “withstood the temptation.”
The Christian Coalition has withstood similar attacks from groups like Freedomworks.
But he withstood my eight years in the White House, so we know how to make the most of our time.
When we arrived there on foot, I thought at first that the house had withstood the quake.
There was no room to budge but we were all anxious to get to the Provincial House and find out how it had withstood the quake.
Historical Examples of withstood
He withstood the pain, and the boiling oil did not harm him.
The Chinese Fairy BookVarious
I withstood all that, but you don't give up at all and step by step you are overcoming my resolve.
The Middle Class GentlemanMoliere
She had withstood attack from a German submarine for four hours.
Whatever the compulsion put upon her, she ought to have withstood it.
The ManxmanHall Caine
Then he will settle his score with the nobles of Naples who have withstood him.
The Historical Nights' EntertainmentRafael Sabatini
withstand
- (tr) to stand up to forcefully; resist
- (intr) to remain firm in endurance or opposition
Word Origin and History for withstood
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.