bystander

noun

by·​stand·​er ˈbī-ˌstan-dər How to pronounce bystander (audio)
Synonyms of bystandernext
: one who is present but not taking part in a situation or event : a chance spectator
innocent bystanders who were injured in the shooting

Examples of bystander in a Sentence

Two innocent bystanders were injured in the shooting. bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This marked the first appearance of an embodied AI robot at a Met Gala pre-event, attracting significant attention from media, designers, and bystanders. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 6 May 2026 The teenage bystander was not seriously injured and has been released from a hospital, ABC News reported. ABC News, 6 May 2026 Additional videos, taken by bystanders, showed Peters being carried out of the nightclub. Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026 Quinn said the bystander was struck by the suspect, not an officer. Joey Garrison, USA Today, 5 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for bystander

Word History

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bystander was in 1584

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Cite this Entry

“Bystander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bystander. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

bystander

noun
by·​stand·​er -ˌstan-dər How to pronounce bystander (audio)
: a person standing near but taking no part in what is happening

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