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 of withstand

• 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

Cracking the pressure code Building a vehicle that can withstand 100 times the atmospheric pressure of the surface is an engineering nightmare. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026

Airplanes are engineered to avoid in-air collisions with other aircraft, to withstand turbulence and bird strikes, and to even survive emergency landings—including on water—but they aren’t designed for road vehicle collisions. —Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 Mar. 2026

Board of Governors Chairman Alan Levine said states could pursue their own solutions if Congress fails to act, including potential interstate agreements designed to withstand antitrust challenges. —Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026

Astronomers are also giddy about Comet MAPS’ size, as larger snowballs are often likelier to withstand their closest approach to the sun, known as perihelion. —Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 23 Mar. 2026

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