withstand

verb

with·​stand with-ˈstand 

wit͟h-

withstood with-ˈstu̇d 

wit͟h-

; withstanding

transitive verb

1

a

: to stand up against : oppose with firm determination

especially : to resist successfully

b

: to be proof against : resist the effect of

withstand the impact of a landing

—Current Biography

2

archaic : to stop or obstruct the course of

Synonyms

• resist
• oppose

Choose the Right Synonym for withstand

oppose, combat, resist, withstand mean to set oneself against someone or something.

oppose can apply to any conflict, from mere objection to bitter hostility or warfare.

opposed the plan

combat stresses the forceful or urgent countering of something.

combat disease

resist implies an overt recognition of a hostile or threatening force and a positive effort to counteract or repel it.

resisting temptation

withstand suggests a more passive resistance.

trying to withstand peer pressure

Examples of withstand in a Sentence

cookware that can withstand high temperatures

I couldn't withstand the rigors of army life.

They withstood attacks from many critics.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Pamir-Karakoram Anomaly, which has allowed glaciers in these mountain ranges to withstand climate change longer than expected, has been in decline since 2018. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025

Root crops usually withstand a few light frosts and potentially a short period of freezing weather, but they should always be harvested before the ground freezes. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025

Atop the garage, the extra-thick walls of the two-story living space are reinforced by hundreds of steel strap connections and capped with a steel roof, and the homes are outfitted with windows and doors designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane. —Ryan Ballogg, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025

Jamaica’s prime minister has warned that the island’s infrastructure cannot withstand such a storm. —Sara Sneath, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English withstandan, from with against + standan to stand

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for withstand

• armband
• backhand
• bandstand
• baseband
• broadband
• command
• cropland
• demand
• disband
• dreamland
• expand
• farmhand

Kids Definition

withstand

verb

with·​stand with-ˈstand 

wit͟h-

withstood -ˈstu̇d  ; withstanding

: to stand against : resist

especially : to oppose successfully