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

Both the cushions and the frame are made to withstand lots of sun, heat, and rain. —Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2026

But by the late stages of the game, the Magic had built up enough of a lead to withstand those misses. —Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026

Jayson Tatum had 20 points and 14 rebounds in a season-high 32 minutes, Neemias Queta had 24 points and 10 rebounds and the Boston Celtics withstood a late charge to beat Washington 111-100 on Saturday night and send the Wizards to their 11th straight loss. —CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026

Any new framework would have to be resilient enough to withstand that volatility. —Karishma Vaswani, Twin Cities, 15 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