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
But bystanders who become heroes – the people who run toward danger – may share some common traits or find themselves in circumstances that push them to spring into action.
—
Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
While there is every reason to protect the privacy of Epstein’s victims, many bystanders in the file photographs have their faces obscured by large black squares.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2025
An ambulance stands outside Eslite Spectrum Nanxi store near Zhongshan station, following an incident in which several were killed and injured after a person released smoke bombs and attacked bystanders, according to the government and local media, in Taipei, Taiwan, December 19, 2025.
—CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
Despite their efforts to disarm him, the gunman eventually overpowered the two bystanders and killed them, according to authorities.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bystander
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.
Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
While there is every reason to protect the privacy of Epstein’s victims, many bystanders in the file photographs have their faces obscured by large black squares.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2025
An ambulance stands outside Eslite Spectrum Nanxi store near Zhongshan station, following an incident in which several were killed and injured after a person released smoke bombs and attacked bystanders, according to the government and local media, in Taipei, Taiwan, December 19, 2025.
—CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
Despite their efforts to disarm him, the gunman eventually overpowered the two bystanders and killed them, according to authorities.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 Dec. 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 23 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bystander
noun
by·stand·er
-ˌstan-dər
: a person standing near but taking no part in what is happening
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share