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
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is awaiting trial at The Hague for crimes against humanity, over a brutal war on drug dealers that killed possibly thousands of people, including many innocents and bystanders, with barely any kind of due process.
—
Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
The game often involves ski masks and toy guns, which can be mistaken for real threats by bystanders or law enforcement.
—Jazmin Towe, Parents, 9 May 2025
In a news release, the National Park Service (NPS) said its rangers were notified that a man had fallen during a hike on the primitive section of the Windows Loop trail on Tuesday, May 6, adding that bystanders administered CPR before authorities arrived at the scene.
—David Chiu, People.com, 8 May 2025
Video circulating on social media showed a young man in a black hoodie with his back against a chain-link fence, alongside a security guard and surrounded by bystanders screaming and swearing at him.
—Jim Morris, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bystander
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Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
The game often involves ski masks and toy guns, which can be mistaken for real threats by bystanders or law enforcement.
—Jazmin Towe, Parents, 9 May 2025
In a news release, the National Park Service (NPS) said its rangers were notified that a man had fallen during a hike on the primitive section of the Windows Loop trail on Tuesday, May 6, adding that bystanders administered CPR before authorities arrived at the scene.
—David Chiu, People.com, 8 May 2025
Video circulating on social media showed a young man in a black hoodie with his back against a chain-link fence, alongside a security guard and surrounded by bystanders screaming and swearing at him.
—Jim Morris, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 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 17 May. 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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