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
Six bystanders injured during a 2022 police shooting in Denver will share nearly $20 million in damages after a jury ruled in their favor, their attorneys announced on Friday.
—
Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
After more than three years of painful recovery and an eight-day jury trial, six bystanders wounded during a 2022 police shooting in downtown Denver are hoping for some relief.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
Mack hasn’t been a passive bystander during his layoff.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 15 Oct. 2025
There was also the terrifying clip, captured in August 2021, showcasing when a bull moose charged at a bystander.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bystander
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Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
After more than three years of painful recovery and an eight-day jury trial, six bystanders wounded during a 2022 police shooting in downtown Denver are hoping for some relief.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
Mack hasn’t been a passive bystander during his layoff.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 15 Oct. 2025
There was also the terrifying clip, captured in August 2021, showcasing when a bull moose charged at a bystander.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 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 24 Oct. 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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