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
Police said a wolf got a hold of the toddler's hand with its mouth, but bystanders were able to help pull the boy away.
—
Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
In footage posted to X by Mayor Eric Adams on Friday, dozens of bystanders can be seen filming as Jaden is savagely beaten, when one of his attackers draws a firearm and shoots him at point-blank range.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
The attack in a pedestrian tunnel beneath Times Square and the Port Authority bus terminal left Ullah seriously burned but spared some pedestrians nearby from more serious injuries, though the government noted one bystander lost 70% of his hearing.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Instead, prosecutors said, a shootout between longtime gang rivals left six dead including three bystanders in the chaotic minutes after closing tine, April 3, 2022.
—Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
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Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
In footage posted to X by Mayor Eric Adams on Friday, dozens of bystanders can be seen filming as Jaden is savagely beaten, when one of his attackers draws a firearm and shoots him at point-blank range.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
The attack in a pedestrian tunnel beneath Times Square and the Port Authority bus terminal left Ullah seriously burned but spared some pedestrians nearby from more serious injuries, though the government noted one bystander lost 70% of his hearing.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Instead, prosecutors said, a shootout between longtime gang rivals left six dead including three bystanders in the chaotic minutes after closing tine, April 3, 2022.
—Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bystander
Cite this Entry
“Bystander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bystander. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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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