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

Synonyms of bystander

• observer
• spectator
• viewer

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

Koehn believes the armed bystander kept the gunman from shooting at more people. — Dana Griffin, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026

One leaves abruptly, her designer purse slamming against a bystander. — Dina Cheney, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2026

That’s purely a result of being a bystander in someone else's war. — Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Members of the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office Boat Patrol, who were already on the lake conducting routine patrols, responded immediately and took over lifesaving efforts from bystanders until firefighters and paramedics arrived. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bystander

• commander
• expander
• highlander
• leander
• meander
• philander
• brander
• candor
• dander
• gander
• grander
• hander

Kids Definition

bystander

noun

by·​stand·​er -ˌstan-dər 

: a person standing near but taking no part in what is happening