bystander
noun
by·stand·er
ˈbī-ˌstan-dər 
: 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
Two bystanders were injured after a pursuit suspect crashed into their car in Victorville last week.
—
Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 6 Dec. 2025
The trainings have evolved after federal agents in Chicago were accused of liberally deploying tear gas and pepper balls on protesters and other bystanders, Garvey said.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
The suspect was also charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury to two bystanders, a woman and a 16-year-old girl, who were shot in the legs.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
Following the attack, police say Schindler was able to carry Muhlheim and swim her to shore where bystanders called for paramedics.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bystander
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Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 6 Dec. 2025
The trainings have evolved after federal agents in Chicago were accused of liberally deploying tear gas and pepper balls on protesters and other bystanders, Garvey said.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
The suspect was also charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury to two bystanders, a woman and a 16-year-old girl, who were shot in the legs.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
Following the attack, police say Schindler was able to carry Muhlheim and swim her to shore where bystanders called for paramedics.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bystander
Cite this Entry
“Bystander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bystander. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bystander
noun
by·stand·er
-ˌstan-dər
: a person standing near but taking no part in what is happening
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