Thesaurus results for BYSTANDER

bystander

noun

ˈbī-ˌstan-dər

Definition of bystander

as in observer

someone who sees or watches something bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of bystander But the Reuters’ investigation could not determine exactly how the alleged collision occurred, and further New York Times reporting found no indication that Ross had been run over using additional bystander footage. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026 Importantly, one of the goals of these trainings is prevention and reminding students how crucial bystander intervention is in achieving that goal. — Doug Williams, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 Some takes worked and many did not, and once bystanders spotted the stars, word spread quickly. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 Three bystanders injured in a firefight in the Home Depot parking lot. — Patricia Murphy, AJC.com, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bystander

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bystander

Noun

Coleman found instructive a 1938 ruling in favor of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who challenged a radio station that placed observers on a rooftop next to Forbes Field and paid them to provide play-by-play for an unauthorized radio broadcast.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026
While international observers initially blamed Moscow for the blasts, investigators later found suggestions that Ukrainian state security agencies may have been involved — even though Ukraine counts Germany as one of its closest allies.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of observer

Noun

Lutheran is required to complete a detailed Corrective Action Plan addressing game management, spectator conduct, staff training and school culture.

— Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray described the shooting as a politically motivated act of violence carried out in front of children and hundreds of live spectators.

— Mackenzie Chase, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of spectator

Noun

Inspired by Ektachrome, a color-reversal film stock widely used during the 1970s, this presentation allows viewers to immerse themselves into the vivid colors and style of the 1973 Easter Island landscape.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Many viewers have told us, ‘Thank you for trusting us to read between the lines and for not hammering everything over our heads.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of viewer

Browse Nearby Words

byroads

bystander

bystanders

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bystander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bystander. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of bystander

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

bon vivant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes