bystander

noun

by·stand·er | \ ˈbī-ˌstan-dər

Definition of bystander

: one who is present but not taking part in a situation or event : a chance spectator innocent bystanders who were injured in the shooting

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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

Instruct supervisors to attempt to obtain and review all audio and video recordings from police as well as bystanders, security cameras and other sources of information. — Talis Shelbourne, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "New use-of-force policies aim to change first aid treatment, handling of suicidal civilians and more," 6 June 2019 Canavan said the crash resulted in an exposed wire starting a small fire, which was put out by a bystander using a dry chemical extinguisher. — Debra Bleile, Pomerado News, "Solo crash knocks out power in Poway," 6 June 2019 Video taken by a bystander shows Carter slip out of the grip of one officer and attempt to walk away. — Tess Sheets, orlandosentinel.com, "Noel Carter files excessive force lawsuit against Orlando police for 2015 arrest captured on video," 4 June 2019 The release said that several bystanders, including an off-duty Cicero auxiliary police officer and an off-duty DuPage County Forest Preserve police officer, quickly dove into the water to try to save the woman. — Linda Girardi, Aurora Beacon-News, "95-year-old woman who drove into Aurora retention pond has died, authorities say," 5 May 2018 The woman pleads for help from bystanders, but is largely ignored. — Perry Vandell, azcentral, "Video shows Tempe officer dragging woman from car," 5 July 2018 The audacity to profile and verbally assault innocent bystanders and customers in a public commercial location is a violation of our civil society.’’ Material from the Washington Post was used in this report. — Aimee Ortiz, BostonGlobe.com, "Aaron Schlossberg once called a Mass. native ‘an ugly [expletive] foreigner’," 18 May 2018 Head to Le Marais for people watching and a late morning coffee; be sure to grab a seat on the outskirts of any outdoor seating area to avoid onlookers, bystanders and fellow coffee sippers stepping on your train. — Carrie Goldberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "Can You Wear Haute Couture In Real Life?," 7 Aug. 2017 To be effective bystanders, Warnick trains people pay attention to cues, identify harassment, and develop methods of intervention. — Greta Moran, Teen Vogue, "The Culture of Sexual Harassment at Music Festivals Like Coachella Could Be Changing," 3 May 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bystander.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.